384 



CUMB FOUXDATIOX. 



GT"?. In 1.S57, Johannes Mehring invented a press to make 

 wax wafers, on which the inidiments of the cells were prmted. 

 Those only, who experienced the obstacles w^hich this industry- 

 presents, can form an idea of the energy and perseverance 

 that were required to succeed as he did. 



The foundation made by him then, was far from being equal 

 to w^hat is now made. The projections of the cell-walls were 

 too rudnnentary, sometimes not printed, and the bees often 

 built drone-cells instead of worker-cells; but these imperfect 

 efforts were the beginning of an industiy which has proved 

 of immense advantage to bee-keepers, and has spread like 

 wild-fire wherever bees are kept. 



Fig. 143. 



THE LATEST FOUNDATION MILL. 



(A B C of Bee-Culture.) 



678. Another Apiarist, Peter Jacob, of Switzerland, im- 

 proved on the Mehring press, and in 18G5, some of hi§ foun- 

 dation was imported to America, by Mr, H. Steele, of Jersey 

 City {Am. Bee-Journal, Vol. 2, page 221), and tried by Mr. 

 J. L. Hubbard, who reported favorably upon it. In 1861, 

 Mr. Wagner had secured a patent in the United States, for 

 the manufacture of artificial honey comb -foundation by what- 

 ever process made. His patent was never put to use, and 

 rather retarded the progress of this industry in America. 



679. The first comb-foundation made in America, was 

 manufactured in 1875, bv a German, Mr. F. Weiss, very 



