FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 



89 



the foundation, and nailed there. Then the usual wedge 

 is wedged into the fine saw-kerf in the top-bar. 



As already said. I am not sure but it is just as well, 

 or better, to have the bottom-bar in one piece, with the 

 foundation cut to fit close upon it. 



FOUXDATIOX SPLINTS, v^ 



Xow we are ready for the important part. Little 

 sticks or splints about 1-10 of an inch square, and about 



Fig. 28 — Coggshall Brush. 



Yx inch shorter than the inside depth of the frame, are 

 thrown into a square shallow tin pan that contains hot 

 beeswax. They will froth up because of the moisture 

 frying out of them. \\'hen the frothing ceases, and the 

 splints are saturated with wax. then they are ready for 

 use. The frame of foundation is laid on the board as 

 before : with a pair of plyers a splint is lifted out of the 

 wax (kept just hot enough over a gasoline stove), and 

 placed upon the foundation so that the splint shall be 



