AUSTRALASIAN BEE MANUAL 69 



WIRING FRAMES AND FOUNDATION. 



To strengthen the combs thin wire can be first run 

 through the frames and then embedded in the founda- 

 tion, so that the combs when built may have several 

 wires running through them. This keeps them 

 straight within the frames, and from sagging or 

 bulging ; they can then bear the strain of the 

 extractor much better than unwired combs. 



The end bars of the frames, as now sold, have the 

 holes already pierced for the wire, about two inches 

 apart, so that the wires run horizontally instead of 

 perpendicularly as before. Number 30 tinned wire is 

 used ; and if cut off into the required lengths when 

 there are a number of frames to do, it will be found 

 more convenient than cutting one at a time. Find the 

 length of wire required for one frame, allowing 

 sufficient to wind round a tack at each end, then cut 

 a thin batten about three inches wide, and just the 

 length that the ends of the pattern wire will meet round 

 it end ways. The wire from the spool can now be 

 wound around the batten and after sufficient is on the 

 batten the wires should be tied together In three or 

 four places, and be cut through at one end. Put a 

 large nail through the spool and drive it firmly into a 

 bench inclining the top from you, the wire can then be 

 unwound from the spool without trouble. 



EMBEDDING THE WIRE IN FOUNDATION. 



Cut an inch board (a in 

 Fig. 39) a little larger than 

 the size of the frame ; on this 

 screw another piece, b, three- 

 eighths of an inch thick, cut 

 slightly smaller than the in- 

 side of the frame, letting the 

 grain of each board cross that 

 of the other, which will pre- Fig. 39.— wiring board, 



