THE DOOLITTLE CELL CUP METHOD 



61 



makes it very easy to attach them to frame supports on which 

 they are inserted into the hives. Figure 25 shows a frame of 

 newly prepared cells ready for the hive. It will be seen that a 

 strip of foundation is used above the wood supporting the cell 

 cups. This will soon be drawn by the bees and filled with honey. 

 More often the beekeeper cuts away part of a comb already 

 drawn for use in this way. 



Mr. Doolittle used a wood rake tooth as a form on which to 

 mold the cells. Lacking this, a round stick about the size of a 

 lead pencil, but with carefully rounded end, may be used. Bees- 

 wax is melted in a small dish over a lamp or on a stove of mod- 

 erate heat. It must not be kept too hot, otherwise it does not 

 cool rapidly enough. A mark should be made on the stick 

 nine-sixteenths of an inch from the end, and the stick dipped 

 into water to prevent the wax from sticking. After giving it a 

 quick jerk to throw off the water it is then dipped into the 

 melted wax up to the mark. The dipping is done quickly, 

 twirling the stick around as it is lifted out to distribute the 

 wax evenly. As soon as the wax is sufficiently hardened, it is 

 dipped again, this time not quite so deep. The form is thus 



Fig. 25. Frame of prepared cups by the Doolittle method. 



