68 AUSTRALASIAN BEE MANUAL 



F\STi:\ING FOUNDATION IN FRAMES AND SECTIONS. 



The " Hoffman Self-Spacing Frames," which I 

 recommend, have two grooves in the underside of the 

 top bar, one in the centre for the foundation, and the 

 other alongside for the wedge (which is furnished with 

 the frames) to secure the sheet. The wxdge, after the 

 edge of the sheet has been inserted in its groove, should 

 be pressed well down till its surface is level with the 

 frame. 



The shallow or half frames have one groove only into 

 which the foundation is inserted, a little melted wax 

 must then be run along on each side the sheet to secure 

 it, taking care that the w^ax is not too hot or it will 

 melt the sheet instead of fastening it. 



A very useful instrument for this purpose is shown 

 in Fig. 38. A brass tube half-an-inch in diameter and 

 six inches long, tapering, and at the apex there is a 

 small hole. On one side, in the handle, is bored 

 another small hole which may be opened or closed with 



Fig. 38. VAN DEUSEN \VAX-TUBE FASTENER. 



the thumb. When the tube is stood up in a cup of hot 

 wax the air will escape from the upper hole, and the 

 wax flow in at the other small hole at the bottom. 

 The thumb is closed over the upper one, the instrument 

 is drawn out of the wax, and the point is then slowly 

 drawn along. A glance at the split top section. Fig. 

 35, will of itself suggest the method of fastening the 

 foundation. 



