144 



THE AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER. 



[July. 



metal quite as long as the entrance 

 and somewhat wider. In cutting these 

 entrance strips cut along a line, say, 

 about midway 'between the perfor- 

 ations, then cut out the narrow bars 

 of metal which enclose the first row 

 of perforations. This gives a series 

 of openings sufficiently large to ad- 

 mit of a perfectly free passage for 

 the bees when the edge thus fashioned 

 is in contact with the bottom-board, 

 yet it will effectually shut out the 

 smallest of little mice. (H.) 



There the sales seem to be for "dozen 

 lots," and such small quantities; while 

 with us it is frequently a matter of 

 tons and carloads. 



Messrs. Cairncross & Zillen are 

 dealers in apiarian products and sup- 

 plies — their business is selling. Per- 

 haps some of Mr. Drummond's dis- 

 couragements come from a lack of 

 ability as a salesman. Producing, in 

 any line, is one branch, and the plac- 

 ing of the product upon the market 

 is distinctly another branch which re- 



DRAWN COMBS, AFTER VOEGLER S PATENT TREATMENT. 

 (Note the uniformly perfect cells.) 



APIARIAN CONDITIONS IN 

 AFRICA. 



In remarkable contrast indeed are 

 the picture drawn by Mr. Drummond, 

 in April Bee-Keeper, and that in this 

 isbut, by Messrs. Ca-rncross & Zillen. 



The latter correspondent has en- 

 closed a quantity of correspondence 

 with customers, and account sales, to 

 confirm its premises in the matter; 

 and it is all interesting as well as sur- 

 prising. Indeed, the thought of se- 

 curing from 30 to 62 cents per section 

 for honey these days, is invigorating. 

 However, it appears that sales in the 

 Transvaal and the sale of American 

 crops are quite different matters. 



nuires special tact and fitness for the 

 work. (H.) 



THE PREVENTION OF "SAG- 

 GING." 



Of the many little difficulties which 

 beset the bee-keeper it is doubtful if 

 any are more perplexing than the 

 sagging of foundation in the brood 

 frames. The methods for its preven- 

 tion are numerous and varied. Some, 

 such as wiring and the use of splints 

 imbedded in the foundation, tend 

 greatly to reduce the trouble, but 

 these processes all have their objec- 

 tions, and are rarely thoroughly effi- 



