Comb support and attachment within transitional beehives

When the angle of slope from the vertical of the side bars of comb frames was increased the length of attachment of comb to the side bars progressively diminished and the distance from the top bar before attachment began increased. The least comb attachment was to curved wooden frames and was usually restricted to near the top bars. In hives provided with top bars only, the amount of attachment to the side walls decreased as the angle at which the walls sloped inwards increased. When the side walls were vertical or nearly vertical, combs used largely for storing honey were likely to be attached more than combs used mostly for rearing brood. Comb attachment to hives with curved sides decreased as the depth of the curve increased and was less than in hives viith straight sides; such attachment as did occur was near the top bars. Smears or strips of wax were necessary for guiding bees to build along the top bars. Breakage of combs during handling was prevented by suspending vertical wooden comb supports from the top bars. These findings are discussed in relation to the development of transitional hives.