neously ; so that when one stops, the other 

 ceases also. As soon as tlie honey-harvest 

 beghis to fail, so that consumption is in 

 advance of production, tlie bees cease to 

 build new comb, even although large por- 

 tions of their liive are unfilled. When 

 honey no longer abounds in the fields, it is 

 wisely ordered that they should not con- 

 sume, in comb-building, the treasures 

 which may be needed for winter use. What 

 safer rule could have been given them ?" 



With all our ingenuity and skill we have 

 been entirely unable to equal the bees as 

 builders. Only fancy what delicate work 

 it takes to produce comb, the 180th part of 

 an inch thick ! ! True, we take the wax they 

 produce, melt it up, spread it into sheets, 

 and then configurate it, showing the base or 

 foundation of the cells— but there our in- 

 ventive genius, for the present at least, 

 "takes a rest." In comparison with their 

 workmanship, ours is as a thick sheet of 

 wrapping paper to a sheet of tissue paper ! ! 



Friend Carlin, of Louisiana, last week, 

 showed us a small specimen of drone-comb 

 foundation, that was the thinnest we ever 

 saw. It was produced by the new machine 

 made by Novice for J. II. Nellis. So there is 

 hope yet for us to come somewhat nearer in 

 workmanship to the bees. That was vastly 

 different to that used by Novice, last year, 

 in his small sections, which we, as well as 

 friend King, described as.having "aregular 

 fish-bone" in it. 



A friend lately suggested that Novice 

 answered us by stating that the Sections 

 " contained only a narrow strip under the 

 top bar," and that we had never noticed the 

 remark. True; but it was a small matter, 

 and we did not think it necessary. But 

 now we will remark that these sections 

 measure 3% inches from top to bottom ; a 

 measurement just made, shows that the 

 foundation, as put in them by Novice, is 1)4 

 inches deep— that is but little less than one- 

 half the way down to the bottom ! AYhether 

 wide or narrow, that is the exact measure- 

 ment—but perhaps he uses it narrower now. 

 Our remarks were based upon it, as he 

 then used it. As to thinning it. Novice 

 admits on the same page (317, Dec. No.) 

 that his pastor had found some that had not 

 been thinned by the bees. It was therefore 

 unnecessary for us to re-assert what he 

 admitted. 



The use of artificial comb foundation for 

 surplus honey was denounced at the North- 

 Eastern Convention, by Capt. Hetherington 

 and G. M. Doolittle, for fear it would injure 

 the sale of comb honey. This is a note of 

 warning in just the right time. To en- 



danger the market for comb honey would 

 be very unwise— to really injure it, would 

 be a crime. Hence the importance of this 

 matter. If used at all, for surplus it must 

 be exceedingly thin and perfectly trans- 

 parent. 



(!I^"Chas. Hastings, of Carlisle, Iowa, 

 says he has a new plan for holding foun- 

 dation. He says. "I call it the convex 

 wedge slot; thus V 1-13 inch at surface, and 

 }4 inch deep. This form holds it so much 

 better than a saw kerf. A little resin^put 

 into the dipping wax will be beneficial. No 

 patent." 



Harmless Adulteration. 



The London Times makes the follow- 

 ing remarks on the above subject: 



" People win run after cheapness— they strive 

 to get more than money's worth for their money, 

 and the result is easy to fore-see. So long as there 

 is a demand, there will be supply; and the excessive 

 demand for cheap honey is now painfully felt in 

 many directions. Many establishments are run on 

 the plan of directly meeting this craving. They do 

 it honestly and successfully, for the cheapening of 

 goods is the development of manufactures and 

 trade. Since the public pre-emptorily insist on a rate 

 of prices incompatible with a fair profit and even 

 the solvency of the dealer, the latter gives the pub- 

 lic, he persuades himself, its money's worth with 

 some harmless adulteration, sufficient to make the 

 purchaser believe he is getting his goods cheap." 



This is rather an ingenious way of 

 putting it ; particularly the Times'' re- 

 cognition of " harmless adulteration !" 

 We fear our cotemporary hardly under- 

 stands the question yet. 



Something New.— We have received 

 from M. Metcalf, Battle Creek Mich., a sam- 

 ple of his new comb-foundation for the 

 brood chamber, made with standard linen, 

 coated with wax for strengthiug the comb. 

 He has spent much time in experimenting 

 with it, after having thoroughly tested wire, 

 strips of metal, &c., &c. He has applied 

 for a patent on his invention, and intends 

 to secure to himself the benefits accuring 

 from it. He has also been experimenting 

 with linen, without a coating of wax, in the 

 breeding appartmeiit, and if he finds it a 

 success, he will offer his invention to the 

 public in due time. So look out for many 

 vast improvments. Inventive genius is at 

 work and wonders will never cease. Friend 

 Metcalf is a practical and experienced 

 Apiarist, and whenever he brings out any- 

 thing, it is worthy a fair trial. 



E:^" " Bee-Keeping of to-day," by W. L. 

 Reed, is added to our list of Books for Sale. 

 All the manipulations of the Apiary are 

 treated on, briefly, and in the absence of the 

 larger works, it will be found valuable to 

 beginners. 



