THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW. 



the requisite strength necessary in trans- 

 portation. 



If we carefully examine the process of 

 comb-building, the added knowledge will 

 enable us to understand why a founda- 

 tion without cell-walls so closely approx- 

 imates natural comb in the finished prod- 

 uct. 



During comb building small particles 

 of wax are constantly being welded to the 

 edges of new comb, which is also true of 

 foundation with rudimentary cell-walls. 

 Bees invariably attach the plastic materi- 

 al to the edges, which are previously re- 

 duced to a like cohdition, in order that 

 the work may be homogeneous through- 

 out. As a natural consequence, the base 

 or septum is scarcely touched during a 

 good honey yield. With foundation 

 having no cell-walls, the angular bases 

 must first be operated upon by the bees, 

 and rendered sufficiently plastic to retain 

 the new particles of wax. This process 

 practically renews the entire base, inas- 

 much as the angles of both sides necessi- 

 tate much closer work than we would 

 naturally expect. 



While this process of renewal or render- 

 ing the angular surface plastic is pro- 

 ductive of comb equaled only by the 

 natural, it also causes the warping 

 already alluded to, especially when the 

 sides are operated upon unequall}-. 



In all lines of progress, however, with 

 a point gained we are likely to encounter a 

 corresponding evil. But inventors wear 

 them away. By fastening the foundation 

 on three sides, the objection would be 

 overcome, although a lesser one (that of 

 fastening ) would present itself. 



Although I do not like divided sections, 

 which, by clamping, secure the founda- 

 tion, still I think some method should be 

 devised to supersede the use of hot plates 

 or melted wax if possible. 



In all probability, we shall not experience 

 a honey yield for some time which will 

 fully equal that of last season. Under 

 the circumstances of a poor yield, the 

 Michigan foundation might prove a fail- 

 ure. Certainly, 1897 was exceptionally 



favorable to the acceptance of any artifi- 

 cial base. During times of failure, bees, 

 like individuals, are wont to be employed, 

 and will tear down the artifice of men's 

 hands rather than remain idle. 



Jackson, Mich. Dec. 29, 1S97. 



PLAIN SECTIOXS. 



The Comlis in Them are Easily Damaged, and 



They are a Faihire from an Artistic 



Standpoint. 



T. F. BINGHAM. 



mHE bee-keep- 

 ^^ ers who are 

 thinking of adopt, 

 ing this style of 

 section can well 

 ask themseives, 

 what advantages 

 have these sec- 

 tions over those 

 now in use ? Dis- 

 advantages ought 

 also to be considered. New separators 

 must be procured, and either more ex- 

 pensive, or more perfect, shipping-cases 

 used. Then the merchants and the clerk s 

 must be taught to lift honey carefully 

 from the no-drip case. And right here 

 please emphasize the no-drip feature. 

 With the old-style of sections, having 

 projecting edges, this caution was unnec- 

 essary. With the plain sections in which 

 the honey comes out to the edge of the 

 wood, there can be no question as to the 

 constant danger. Every move wtll be a 

 risk; and soon the retailer will find a drip 

 and a loss previously unknown. Neither 

 will the trouble .stop in the siiipping-case, 

 but the section nmst be wrapped np and 

 tied with a piece of twine, and the twine 

 broken after it is tied. Does any one 

 familiar with comb honey doubt the con- 



