JT'LY ], 1914 



GENEMAL COMEESPONDENCE 



GOOD COMBS ; THEIE VALUE, AND MOW TO PRODUCE THEI 



BY ARTHUR C. MILLER 



The second paper on this snbject dealt 

 with the proper wiring" of the frames, giving 

 a method which produces square frames and 

 tight wires free from stretch under service 

 conditions. They are ready for the founda- 

 tion, and we nUist decide what grade to use. 



I use the liglitest '^ brood " foundation I 

 can buy. With the paper, a pound contains 

 eleven to twelve sheets 7% by 16% inches. 

 Any thing smaller than this is used at a 

 loss. The frames I use have an inch-thick 

 top-bar without grooves, % incli thick end- 

 bars, and Vi-iiich-thick bottom-bar, and the 

 above-dimensioned sheets are just right for 

 I hem. I should prefer sheets a scant Ys 

 inch longer, if I could be sure of accurate 

 cutting; but as I cannot, 1 use those of di- 

 mensions given. 



1 have gotten over bewailing small vario- 

 lioiis in dimensions; but I insist on having 

 sheets with straigJtt edges, and cut square. 

 Once you run up against a lot that are not 

 right in those particulars, and you will 

 appreciate my attitude. It is almost un- 

 usable; and, even if used, will take so much 

 time and give such unsatisfactory results 

 that you will never accept another lot like it. 



As to the weight, I use the extremely light 

 for economy. In 100-pound lots I get it at 

 an average price of 60 cents per pound, 

 which is about five cents a sheet, whicli for 

 the 9^/2 sheets I use in a hive costs 47V2 

 cents. " Medium brood " foundation costs 

 in same quantities about 56 cents for TVi 

 sheets, or 8 cents a sheet, which, for Ql/^ 

 slieets is 76 cents. Light brood costs 6V2 

 cents a sheet, or 58 cents a hive. It is not 

 dififlcult to see that the highest-priced foun- 

 dation is the cheai^est, provided you know- 

 how to use it. 



I frankly confess that it takes more skill 

 or deftness to work with the extra light than 

 with the others; but as soon as the skill is 

 accjuired it works as easily as the others, 

 and the economy is worth all the trouble of 

 acquiring the skill. 



For a time I was inclined to want my 

 foundation without paper between the 

 sheets, also for economy, because there are 

 several pounds of paper in a few hundred 

 l)Ounds of foundation; but I soon discoverd 

 tliat the paper was worth all it cost me. 

 (As I recall it now, it adds about one cent 

 a pound to the cost of the foundation.) 



The imi)lements I use are few and simple, 

 and can be bought in any village for a very 

 small sum. The only excejition is the board 

 on which to lay the foundation and frame 

 while fastening, etc., and that is easily made. 

 It is in length almost the inside length of 

 the frame — just enough shorter to permit 

 the frame to slip on and oft" easily. In width 

 it is about one-eighth inch narrower than 

 the inside depth of the frame, and in one 

 edge are diiven two brass-headed upholstery 

 nails (these taper, and the frame will not 

 catch on them), so that, when a frame is put 

 on the board, the heads of these nails just 

 rub against the frame. The top-bar is al- 

 ways put against this edge. This board is 

 fastened to two cleats, and when in use it is 

 sciewed or clamped firmly to bench or table. 

 This is not necessary, but will be found to 

 facilitate the work. Preferably the bottom- 

 bar is toward the operator, and light should 

 be at one side or come over and behind the 

 operator's head. I like to have the board 

 slope toward the top-bar edge, and do this 

 by wedging up the edge nearest me about 

 one inch. 



The otlier implements, two dishes for wax 

 and the tools shown in view No. 1, consist 

 of a small soldering-iron and two brushes. 

 The soldering-iron is for bedding the wires, 

 and is filed down quite thin at the end one 

 way, and into an are the other way. Over 

 the edge of this arc is filed a groove just 

 deep enough so it will run on a wire and not 

 slip off, and no deeper. Then it is tinned, 

 because the hot wax turns the copper green, 

 and I do not care for the green copper on 

 my foundation and in my combs. It may 

 be so slight as to be harmless; but as I can 

 avoid it I do. Such an " iron " can be pui'- 

 ciiased for about 25 cents. 



The large brush is for " painting " the 

 foundation with wax, and the small one is 

 for fastening the foundation to the frame. 

 It costs 10 cents, and is as far superior to the 

 " wax-tube " and '' wax-spoon " as a mov- 

 able-comb hive is to a log " gum." I tried 

 all shapes and sizes, and all lengths of bris- 

 tles, and find the one illustrated the best. 

 It is a common marking-brush, such as is 

 used for marking boxes, barrels, etc. 



The dishes for the wax are preferably 

 " double-boilers," the cheap sort obtainable 

 at any five and ten cent store. Any dish 



