37 



with the frame in this position will be more so when the frame is released. As the wire 

 is rather inclined to kink, it is better to pass it first through the centre holes, then 

 through the top ones, finishing off this part of the work by winding the end round the 

 tack next the top bar. Now pass the other end of the wire through the bottom holes, 

 draw every strand tight, then twist the end round the second tack. Remove the frame 

 from the cleats and finish the job by driving home the tacks. 



Once the foundation is in place the wires should be embedded in it, by means of a 

 wire embedder, which is a small wheel on whose rim are spurs set alternately. These 

 straddle the wire, which is forced into the foundation as the wheel is passed along. 

 To secure a firm support for the foundation, lay it on a piece of |-inch board, a little 

 smaller than the inside dimensions of the frame. 



Sections. 



Most beginners in bee-keeping choose comb-honey as the preferable form of the 

 crop, probably because they hesitate to invest in an extractor until they learn what 

 prospects there are in the venture. The production of a fine article of section-honey 

 in paying quantities is the acme of expert bee-keeping, and that too in favourable 

 regions, but this Province is not one of them, on account of the cool nights. The 

 making of a section is accompanied by much comb-building, which calls for a high 

 temper iture in the super at night, a difficult matter when the outside atmosphere is 

 cool. The production for other reasons is difficult in some parts of the Province, so 

 that, all in all, the results from this form of honey production cannot be considered as 

 a guide as to the possibilities of the locality or the suitability of one for the industry. 



The section in general use is 4^ inches square, the width is 1| inches, with bee-way 

 at top and bottom to give the bees free access to the comb. Of course, there are many 

 other styles, but the one described is the one most likely to be carried in stock by local 

 houses. A special body called a super, because it is placed above the brood-chamber, 

 is used to hold these sections. It is 4f inches deep, otherwise it is the same size as an 

 ordinary hive. A beginner is apt to be puzzled with the descriptive names given to 

 a super, but he must remember they are got from the hive. Thus, an eight-frame super 

 is intended to go on top of an eight-frame hive. In this surplus chamber the sections are 

 carried in holders, a kind of frame, in fact, with separators between, whose purpose it 

 is to secure uniform thickness and evenness of comb. A couple of springs between the 

 last separator and the side of the super hold everything tight. 



Though devices exist for folding sections — in fact, are a necessity where many 

 thousands are used — in a small way the folding is usually done by hand. Since the 

 joints are very thin and brittle, it is necessary to wet them a little while before they 

 are bent. 



As with frames, foundation must be used, starters at least, say an inch wide, and 

 very thin. Brood foundation is much thicker, but the proper kind for either purpose 

 is carried by all dealers in bee supplies. When several thousand sections are needed, 

 a machine will be found a great convenience, such an one as a Root's Daisy Foundation 

 Fastener, which costs about a dollar. But wheie only a few are wanted the starters 

 can be readily fastened in with melted wax. One way is to attach the starter to the 

 top part of the section — that is, one of the sides in which is the bee-way — before the 

 wood is folded. First, with an ordinary jack-knife cut the wax foundation into strips 

 3J inches long and 1 inch wide ; then melt some wax in a shallow dish set on boiling 

 water ; lay the sections in a pile, face up, on the bench in front of the melted wax. 

 Now take a starter, dip a long edge in the wax for a second, then set in position on the 

 section. Some who can work swiftly find this plan all right, but the writer is not 

 quick enough, for by the time he gets the starter in position the wax is set. A surer 



