SURPLUS HONEY. 



141 



in, press the rows together tightly by the follower, and wedge 

 the hitter, either by clips, or wooden wedges, to keep all secure. 

 Scrape off the foundation appearing above the sections, and put 

 it aside Cor the wax extractor (279). By this means sections 

 and crates can be filled very rapidly. If tin, or zinc bars are 

 used to carry the sections (103), the sheets of foundation must 

 be cut, to permit them to drop nearly to the bottom of the 

 sections. Separators between the sections must never be 

 omitted, for, otherwise, the bees may draw out the comb 

 beyond the wood of the sections, making it impossible to 

 pack the latter safely for transit ; or, they may build comb to 

 comb, and work ruin in the crate. 



259. Split Top Sections These sections (101) have a 



bevelled split in one side, to grip the foundation, and, in fold- 

 ing, should have only one half of the split fastened at the 

 dove-tail, and that, what may be called the under-lai^ half. 

 Place several sheets of super foundation one upon the other, 

 and flush at the ends and sides : on these set the folding block, 

 (lush with one end of the parcel ; and, with a sharp knife cut 

 through the foundation ; proceeding until you have a sufficient 

 number of squares cut, and taking care that the squares will 

 fit properly in the sections. Place an end of one square on 

 the bevel of the section top, and shut down and fasten the 

 other half, fixing the sheet of foundation so that it will hang 

 vertically in the section, and allowing just a little space at the 

 bottom to provide for possible stretching of the square. Place 

 each section, as it is finished, in the crate, with separators 

 between the rows, and the follower and wedges at the back. 



260. Unsplit Sections. — Fixing foundation in unsplit sections 

 (101) is somewhat more troublesome. The plan frequently 

 recommended is, to prepare a folding block nearly half as thick 

 as the section is wide ; the square of foundation is laid upon 

 the block, and the section is placed in position; melted wax 

 is then poured in at the upper edge of the foundation to fasten 

 it to the wood. There are simpler methods which work suffici- 

 ently well : — In a saucepan of hot water place a teaspoon, 

 handle down : bend the edge of the foundation at right angles, 

 and place it on the wood so that the square, when fastened, 

 will hang- in the centre of the section •. with the hot end of the 

 spoon, press the bent edge to the wood : the wax will melt and 

 adhere. In a warm room, the foundation can be readily fixed 

 by pressure. Place the section top-side down, and lay the square 

 of foundation on the inside of the top, projecting about i" 

 beyond the centre, and held at the centre by a guide, which 

 may be made from a quarter section cut to the right width. 

 Pressure with any smooth instrument, such as the handle of a 



