WAX AND COMB. 197 
into the melted wax, and revolved until the sheet of wax 
is one-half of the desired thickness. It is then raised, 
and a very fine wire attached on one side of the cylinder, 
wnich is then revolved until the wire is wound around at 
suitable distances apart, when it is again dropped into 
the melted wax, and the proper amount added. The 
sheet is readily removed by cutting across with a knife, 
ADVANTAGE OF WIRE. 
My first experiments were with foundation without 
wires. When the weather is not too warm, foundation 
of this kind is not wholly imprac- 
ticable, but I have never succeeded. 
in obtaining a single perfect comb 
with a heavy swarm in warm 
weather. The wax would become 
so soft that its own weight, com- 
bined with that of the bees, would 
stretch the cells, causing more or 
less distortion, as shown in fig. 77. Fic, 77. 
I have several times had a full set DISTORTED CELLS, 
of foundations pull apart and fall to the bottom of the 
hive when so tried. Thus, it will readily be seen that 
the combination of very fine wire in the structure of the 
sheets will prevent this sag- 
ging and breaking down, 
(fig. 78.) I have never 
seen such perfect sheets of 
comb as I have secured 
with foundations of this 
- kind, even when built 
Fig. 78.—FOUNDATION WITH WIRES. wholly by the bees under 
most favorable circumstances. The Hetherington Broth- 
ers are now using from 7,000 to 8,000 frames filled with 
such foundation, after subjecting them to the most severe 
