THOUSAND ANSWERS 53 



honey is coming in, it may become so bad that bees will not touch 

 it next year. 



Q. Please state the advantage in using the reinforced comb 

 foundation. Some claim it takes less than other comb foundation, 

 being thick on top and thin on bottom. If there is any comb foun- 

 dation_ that is better please let me know, and if it is a fake, then 

 also give the facts. 



A. I did not know that it had ever been claimed that less 

 foundation was needed if reinforced. Likely what you mean is 

 that a less- weight of wax might be used in filling a hive with 

 foundation. I do not see why that may not be true. Foundation 

 for brood-combs must be of a certain weight to prevent sagging. 

 Rut the sagging is chiefly at the top. Now, if we use lighter 

 foundation and reinforce the top part, there is a saving of wax. 

 It is claimed, also, that bees begin work more promptly on the 

 wax that is painted on. I have never used it enough to speak 

 with authority, but I do not believe there is any fake about it, 

 and I do not remember having seen a report from anyone who 

 condemns it after having tried it. 



Q. Is it not a fact that many combs affected with foulbrood 

 and other diseases are rendered into wax, and that the founda- 

 tion on sale by all dealers is contaminated more or less with this 

 same wax? 



A. Undoubtedly much wax is made from foulbrood combs, 

 and just as undoubtedly much of it must fall into the hands of 

 the manufacturers of comb foundation. But it does not follow 

 that the foundation is contaminated so as to make it in the least 

 dangerous. The continued high temperature to which the wax is 

 subjected, when being made into foundation, destroys the spores. 

 I think that some hold, too, that even if a spore were not de- 

 stroyed by the heat, it would not germinate after receiving an 

 impervious coating of hot wax. 



Comb Foundation Fastening. — Q. Can full sheets of founda- 

 tion be used for brood-frames without using either wire or wood- 

 splints? Would it sag so as to spoil the cells for brood-rearing? 



A. Unless the foundation be extra heavy it may sag enough 

 to stretch a good many of the cells in the upper part. 



Q. Please give me the method of fixing foundation (full 

 sheets) in frames with wires; also starters, say S or 6 inches deep. 



A. I may say briefly that if you have top-bars with kerf and 

 wedge, it will be easy to insert the upper edge of the sheet in the 



