THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW. 



excessive heat, even in sun rendering. 

 With a temperature over 212° the tend- 

 ency to soften propolis whereby it be- 

 comes more or less incorporated w4th the 

 wax, is much increased. Instead of 

 painting the extractor black, which is a 

 severe strain upon the wood, being sub- 

 jected as it is to extreme expansion and 

 consequent contraction, I use white paint 

 both inside and out, obtaining the most 

 satisfactory results. 



Although other impurities, such as pol- 

 len and that which naturally results 

 from old brood-combs are found, their 

 elimination is comparatively easy. How- 

 ever, in justice to the manufacturers of 

 comb foundation, I will state that the use 

 of sulphuric acid serves a useful purpose in 

 separating the impurities from wax ; still, 

 a means of prevention is always prefera- 

 ble to a cure. Then, again, cleanliness in 

 all the work of sun rendering is a matter 

 worthy of our consideration ; and, being 

 done outside, saves much inconvenience to 

 the inmates of our homes. 



The changed condition of wax, to say 

 nothing of impurities, has necessitated 

 much effort on the part of foundation- 

 makers, not only to restore its original 

 color, but the softness of its texture. 

 \\'hile much progress has been made in 

 this respect, far more satisfactory results 

 have been obtained b}- reducing the 

 quantity of wax in each lineal foot of 

 foundation. 



Although foundation as first made was 

 heavy, with but little projection or cell- 

 walls above the base, and, in many in- 

 stances, none, Mr. T. F. Bingham sug- 

 gested to the Michigan bee-keepers, in 

 session last year at Mt. Plea.sant, the 

 possibility of producing a very light 

 foundation without the cell-walls. Of 

 course, the changed condition of wax 

 after being melted, whereby it is render- 

 ed hard, was duly considered as being ob- 

 jectionable, and the use of a nun- 

 imuni quantity advised, hence, a return 

 to the primitive design. 



Bvit the state of the art had advanced — 

 the methods of manufacture had been 



improved, as well as the foundation it- 

 self. An exceedingly thin septum being 

 the result of continued experimenting for 

 years seemed an opportune time for the 

 aforesaid change — not unlike the devel- 

 opment of our improved section, in which 

 the plain style, although first made, is 

 -only now being popularized. 



The members of the Michigan conven- 

 tion being willing to try the experiment 

 suggested by Mr. Bingham, unitedly 

 paid the amount neces.sary to procure a 

 mill engraved expressly for the purpose. 



In due time Mr. Bingham announced 

 that the mill had been completed, and 

 those desirious of testing the product 

 could do so by procuring the foundation 

 through him ; whereupon I ordered some 

 three or four pounds. Upon receiving 

 and examining the foundation I was 

 agreeabl}^ surprised to find the product so 

 thin and delicate. However, owing to 

 its smooth angular surface, which was 

 minus the cell-walls, I was somewhat 

 skeptical as to its acceptance by the bees. 

 I expected to .see nuich of it torn down, 

 or transformed into drone comb. In this 

 respect I was agreeably suqjrised, it be- 

 ing readily accepted by the bees, and not 

 a single section was found to contain 

 drone comb. 



But the finished product was far more 

 interesting and satisfactory. The daily 

 test by both Mrs. Aspinwall and nn-self 

 led us to give it the preference. It re- 

 quires an expert to detect any difference 

 between it and natural comb. Although 

 I remarked to friend Hutchinson when 

 at our home that it was about equal to the 

 natural product, I also mentioned the 

 tendency to warp, which is quite an objec- 

 tion. In some instances the foundation 

 warped to such an extent that little or no 

 cell room was left between the septum 

 and separator at the lower edge or bottom 

 of the .section, necessitating elongated 

 cells on the opposite side. Although the 

 objection is apparently slight, still such 

 combs are never fastened to the bottom 

 of the sections; consequenth- they lack the 

 plump, well-filled appearance, as well as 



