The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-08-26
POINTS FOR BEE-kEEPERS.
Interesting Suggestions on Reversing
Hives, Frames and Sections.


Interesting Suggestions on Reversing
Hives, Frames and Sections.
For the purpose of this essay, it is as
sumed that the normal condition of 4
colony of bees is that in which the
members are constantly increasing,
and that tits at its best when in this con-
dition. Keep your colonies strong"
is an old adage, and as good as it is old.
The invention and Introduction of the
movable frame advanced the study of
bees hundreds of years at a single
stride. The objects of these frames
was the control of the combs SO that we
might see what was taking place in the
hive. No one supposed that more bees
could be reared in these frames than in
the trunk of tree. They were mainly
considered excellent because swarmlng
could be controlled, colonies increased
at pleasure, and because queenlessness
might be prevented. BY and by it be-
gan to be observed that certain manip-
ulations of the frames stimulated
brood-rearing, and that rapid increase
of bees was the result. 1t was also OBJ
served that bees entered the surplus
boxes more readily when placed in
close proximity to the brood in the
hive. So important did this idea be-
come that numberless devices were
offered that proposed to effect this
object. Hives were so made that
boxes could be placed adjoining
the sides of combs full of brood.
Triangular frames were invented
| which offered two surfaces for boxing,
and square frames were hung 1T OPP
pOsitc corners so rs to furnish the de-
sired boxing space near the brood. In
all these hives the same features pre-
sented themselves, to-wit: brood in the
upper part of the frame ut the time
when putting on the boxes; later, brood
in the lower half of the frame and
honey in the upper half and between
the brood and the boxes. The increase
of the colony was checked, its numbers
began to grow less and the storage of
honey diminished. Another idea here
introduced tself-''contractiOn." TAX
inc it for granted that brOod-rearing
must be checked. it was the most natural
thing in the world to force the depleted
colony into the boxes by lessening their
space below. 1t was Il most common
experience to have storage cease while
the secretion of nectar was yet abun-
dant it was cause of complaint every
where.
The invertible hive seems to meet
most of the difficulties in securing
storage of honey as long as the supply
lasts. In early spring the hive is set
on one end, giving a vertical depth in
the brood nest of about eighteen inches.
The upper end of the brood chamber
being the warmest, brOod-rearing is
carried on there first until the upper
end of the brood nest is occupied with
il. Then as the weather gets warmer,
turn the hive the other end up when it
will soon be occupied with brood
This takes us to MAY l. Now turn
the hive down on the stand in the
position that it is to occupy during the
harvest, then within ten days turn the
other side up, and ninety-nine times in
a hundred that colony, if it had fair
supply of bees and good queen to be-
gin with, is ready for profitable work.
From May % to June 1 is the time to
put on sections. taking care to inyert
the hive first before putting on the
cases. This places the cases nearest
the brood and emerging bees and
ALWAYS secures the best results.
When it is noticed that the sections
are getting nicely filled, and combs eX-
tended so they are strong enough, it is
time to invert the cases. These cases
should be so made that they touch the
queen, excluding only around their
edges; made thus, they may be detached
aud lifted off with almost the facility
that a man may handle a bucket of
water. To invert the section eases,
take them off and set them aside; take
off the queen excluder and then put on
the tOp-board with the entrance open
to the rear; attach the hive-lifter and
invert the hive and set it down quietly
in the same place it occupied before; no
bees are crushed because the hive Is not
set down on the bOttom-board, but the
bottom-board is put on top before in
version, and all turned together; now
take off the top-board, replace the
queen excluder, put on q fresh case of
sections, and on top of it place the case
first put on, but in an inverted position
so that the sections may be filled out |
plump to the bottom bar as well us the
top. So perfectly does the brood-rear-
ing keep pace with storage that. as a
rule, the hives should be inverted every
time new case of sections is put on.
The reading of the above seems a
long process. but five cases of sections
may be removed, the hive inverted and |
all replaced inside of five minutes. In |
a word the invertible hive should be so
made that it can occupy four different
positions The cases should be so made |
that they will hold the sections true
and allow the bees to touch them no.
where only on the inside. Without
separators full sheets of very thin
foundation s.lould be used. If separa-
tors are used, starters will answer.
There is but little to say about rever |
sible frames. Even fastidious people |
reject 1.-TWO bites to a cherry" and
eight to ten or twelve bites would be
incomprehensible '.All the frames at
once is the demand of the times, but
they should be made so that they may
be removed if necessary to be examined
for anv purpose; and the hive contain
inc them should be constructed so that
the frames may be removed when
either side is up.-Pdper read By j. ".
!Shuck before " Y. State Society Of Bee
ReenerS