Note 3 — Chapter V · BOXES FOR SURPLUS HONEY.

When the box frames or partitions are taken out in the honey season, the bees will often, if the stock is strong, spread out over the bottom, so that in putting the frame in, a large number will get crushed. To prevent this, get out two pieces of wood, each about one and one-half inches wide, and one-fourth inch thick, one eighteen inches long the other twenty-two Inches long; one edge of the long piece bevel to a thin edge, about the shape of a carpenter's chisel. Nail the long piece in the center to the end of the short piece at right angles with it, with the beveled edge down, so the beveled edge will be level with the end of the short piece; also bevel the lower end of the short piece. When the bees are spread over the bottom of the box section, with this instrument push them gently back to the brood section. To do this thrust the instrument down into the box section with the beveled edge down; taking hold of the end of the short piece or handle, work the bees gently back to the brood section, and when close up to the combs of the hive, let it remain to keep the bees from spreading over the bottom till you get the box frame down in its place, then remove it, and push the box frame up close to the brood section, so the ends of the boxes will be as near the brood combs as the partition was when the combs were built. If this is not done, and a large space is left, the bees will either lengthen the cells in the outer comb of the brood section, or build a new comb between the ends of the boxes and the outer comb of the brood section. In either case we would find it very troublesome when we remove the boxes, and wish to put in the partition for wintering. Be sure to put the large box frame up close to the combs of the brood section, that is leave barely space enough for the bees to pass between the ends of the boxes and the outer comb of the brood section.