June 21, 1906 



American Bee Journal 



adopt the standard Langstroth frame for nuclei. There are 

 many reasons why you can and should do this. Some of them 

 are these: In the first place, you would have but one size 

 frame in the apiary. You all know that brood-combs of 

 several sizes and styles are a nuisance in any bee-yard. I 

 would use 3 frames (not less than 2 in any case) in all 

 nuclei. When fall comes around, the queen-trade is over, 

 and the nuclei can be doubled, say putting 3 in a large hive, 

 and when so united they are likely to winter successfully. 

 On the other hand, what would one have to go into winter 

 quarters with if there were several hundred sickly baby nu- 

 clei that had but a few bees and no brood? 



If the standard frame is used, the bees could be di- 

 vided again in the spring after the hives are well filled with 

 bees and brood. So you see, after the first cost of using 

 standard frames for nuclei, the expense is really nothing, 

 while all the nucleus colonies will be strong and in fine 

 condition for any purpose. 



By my nucleus system, in the fall I have a fine lot of 

 bees and brood to unite for winter. They are united in 

 October, making about 20 strong colonies in all. When fed 

 up they appear to be in fine condition. Now I have tried 

 for the past 20 years to winter the nuclei when in the above 

 condition, and only with partial success. I find it quite 

 difficult here in this climate to winter full colonies, even 

 when they are in the best of condition in the fall. What 

 prospect have "baby" nuclei of wintering, if full colonies 

 can not be successfully carried through the 6 months' confine- 

 ment they will have to endure? 



My advice is not to adopt any "babyish" fixtures to use 

 in keeping bees, if you wish to succeed. Not one of our suc- 

 cessful bee-keepers has ever adopted anything of the kind. 

 They all use standard and practical equipment in their 

 apiaries. 



No man can succeed in anything by spending his time 

 fussing with fussy and unnecessary things. Follow Nature's 

 methods as near as possible. Lots of things can be done with 

 bees, and one can get any amount of pleasure in them, but 

 they are not practical nor profitable. Essex Co., Mass. 



m 



Dewey Foundationer— An Adjustable Machine 

 for Securing Foundation in Sections 



BY E. H. DEWEY. 



THIS foundation-fastening machine is box-shaped, with the 

 cover, which is about one-half its length, depressed be- 

 tween the sides ; a table sliding on the same is drawn to 

 the rear by a spring attached to the side of the machine. 



The forward edge of the machine is beveled. A support is 

 attached to the forward edge of the table at such an angle as 

 to permit the operator to have his work under observation 

 constantly. 



A gauge, mounted by an iron plate, is secured to the sup- 

 port by bolts. The gauge and plate automatically center the 



It will be noticed that the upper forward edge of the- 

 gauge is cut away and the stationary plate projects over the 

 upper edge, but not quite flush with its base. CD 



A curved yielding spring is attached to the beveled edge 



starters, and if sections of more than one width are used the 

 machine is adjusted by loosening the bolts and slipping be- 

 tween the support and the gauge a wedge of the desired 

 thickness. The button, which acts as a check to the movable 

 plate, is turned when the machine is adjusted, to permit the 

 plate to stop at the desired spot. 



of the table to hold the section securely against the base of 

 the gauge. 



Two rods extend in a horizontal position from the forward 

 end of the table to the plate supports. The plate supports 

 are reciprocated on bolts that pass through the sides of the 

 machine and the supports. 



The curved plate is secured to the supports. 



Two creases that meet at the center and rear of the 

 curved plate collect and convey the melted wax away from the 

 machine at one point. 



The section is slipped over the gauge and is held in posi- 

 tion by means of the spring on the forward edge of the table. 

 The stationary plate is about 3-16 of an inch from the sec- 

 tion. When the plate is well heated the thumb of the right 

 hand is placed on the rear edge of the table with the fore- 

 finger extended on the upper side of the machine. The table 

 ig now pushed forward, by the thumb, until the curved plate, 

 after passing over the edge of the section, comes to rest. The 

 starter is now slid down the stationary plate until it comes in 

 contact with the heated plate, when the table is released and 

 the starter is pushed to the section to which it is securely 

 fastened. 



The instant the cable is released the curved plate is auto- 

 matically withdrawn from the section, and any adhering wax 

 is carried away from the section and the working parts of the 

 machine. 



A screw prevents the table from being carried completely 

 over when the table is released. 



Full sheets may be secured, as readily as starters, and 

 both if desired. 



Attention is particularly called to the position of the 

 curved plate with reference to the section when the machine 

 is closed. In its passage the curved plate does not come in 

 contact with the section at any point. No dripping wax can 

 soil the section or the machine. 



The beveled edge of the gauge permits the heated plate 

 to pass beneath the stationary plate without touching any 

 part of the machine. 



Sections are supplied with starters as fast as they can be 

 picked up, and come from the machine absolutely free from 

 dripping wax or smoky deposit from the lamp. 



The machine is the only one of the kind ever supplied 

 with a curved reciprocating plate ; in fact, it is constructed 

 on entirely new lines, and has stood the severest tests satis- 

 factorily. Berkshire Co. , Mass. 



[This is one of the things that is all right if it does all 

 that is claimed for it. We understand that a patent was ap- 

 plied for, and that it was to have been put on the market this 

 season. But we do not recall seeing it advertised in any of 

 the bee-papers. — Editor.] 



Amerikanische Bienenzucht, by Hans Buschbauer, is 

 a bee-keeper's hand-book of 138 pages, which is just what 

 our German friends will want. It is fully illustrated, and 

 neatly bound in cloth. Price, postpaid, $1.00; or with the 

 Americai. Bee Journal one year— both for $1.75. Address 

 all orders to this office. 



