200 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Mak. 



with a chisel. There is one thing about this, 

 that it can't cost much to try it. The en- 

 graving is not strictly correct. The point 

 C should be shoved into the bar iJ far 

 enough so that B may rest directly on the 

 rabbet U. We have a number of spacing- 

 devices which we will submit to our readers 

 soon. After all have been weighed in the 

 balance by a season's trial we shall know 

 what we want. Ernkst. 



In addition to the above, I would say that 

 Ernest and I do not exactly agree in regard 

 to the matter of wiring. I would endorse 

 every word that friend Foster says in favor 

 of wires, and I do not believe that we 

 can afford to dispense with the upright 

 and diagonal wires. For my part, I should 

 hold on to the bars. I do not believe, how- 

 ever, that I should like so much machinery 

 as friend Foster advises, to get rid of the 

 wires over the top-bar. I think I would 

 bore the thick top -bars, and then, if it 

 be desired to get the wires out of sight, 

 draw a line with a marking-gauge, so as to 

 cut through the center of the i>ierced holes. 

 This will let the wires down into the wood, 

 out of the way. Friend Foster's frame- 

 spacer is old ; but if we must space our 

 frames, I think I should like it as well as 

 any other spacer. Frieud Norton's device 

 for spacing the top-bars is exceedingly in- 

 genious. If the rabbets are cut by machin- 

 ery it could be done at little expense. I 

 think tliat only a test, however, can deter- 

 mine whether we want the arrangement or 

 not. 



FASTENING FOUNDATION IN SEC- 

 TIONS. 



THE ARTHUR C. MILLER PERFECTION FOUNDA- 

 TION-FASTENER. 



My attention has been so frequently called to 

 worthless inventions by unpractical bee-keepers of 

 limited experience, that I have naturally become 

 very skeptical concerning most new devices. For 

 this reason, it is an exceptional pleasure to be able, 

 as in the present instance, to bring before your 

 readers an invention which, I believe, possesses un- 

 usual merit. 



In 1888, while in attendance at the Rhode Island 

 State Fair, at Providence, my attention was direct- 

 ed to a machine which Mr. Arthur C. Miller had in- 

 vented for fastening comb foundation in sections. 

 The machine was then in crude form; I may say it 

 was only in process of construction ; and as I gave 

 it but casual notice, I was not favorably impressed 

 with it. 



In 1889 I was again called to Providence, and was 

 entertained at Mr. Miller's home. I am sure I shall 

 be pardoned if, just here, I diverge from my sub- 

 ject to introduce my friend to your readers. The 

 name of Miller seems to rank well in connection 

 with our pursuit, and I predict its standard will not 

 be lowered as this gentleman becomes better 

 known. If the artist gives us a good cut of Mr. 

 Miller, I am sure it will tell its own story. 



Mr. Miller was born in Providence, R. I., in 1F63. 

 At the age of fourteen his father died, and, as he 

 said to me, " left me to cut out my own way." 



In 1881 he took a position in the oldest and largest 

 savings bank in Rhode Island, the Providence Insti- 



tute for Savings, where he has remained, being at 

 present paying teller. 



He is a descendant of Roger Williams, which may 

 account for his enthusiastic and determmed nature. 

 He has an estimable wife and two bright children, 

 a son and a daughter. He has kept bees for the- 

 past ten years, having at times as many as fifty 

 stocks. I found at his home nearly all the bee- 

 keeping literature of the day, both American and 

 foreign. 



ARTHUR C. MILLER.* 



Mr. Miller seems to possess a particular bent for 

 investigation and invention, but at present I shall 

 confine myself to that above mentioned. 



While on this latter visit my attention was again 

 called to this new device. I found myself deeply 

 interested in the advance Mr. Miller had made in 

 his progress from his first crude machine to the al- 

 most faultless one shown in the illustrations. In 

 explaining it to me Mr. Mil- 

 ler said: "This one crowning 

 point of success in the ma- 

 chine was gained by what I 

 supposed was an error in me- 

 chanical construction." 



Let us first consider the 

 usual methods of fastening 

 foundation in sections, and 

 the conditions necessary for 

 successful operation. What- 

 ever the method employed 

 may be, the wood to which 

 the foundation is attached 

 should be warm and the 

 f qundation^of t and pliable. 

 If wax is used for fastening 

 thejfoundation, it must be 

 applied when heated. 



Mr. Miller's machine con- 

 sists of a frame which may 

 be fastened to a board 

 against the front of a bench, 

 or to any perpendicular sur- 

 face (see Fig. 1). At the top, and a little back from 

 the front, a light metallic plate is arranged, and the 

 frame holding the plate is connected to a lever near 

 the floor, to be operated with the foot. Under this 



*Like all half-tone work, this is a natural like- 

 ness.— Ed. 



MILLER'S FOUNDA- 

 TION FASTENER. 



