WAX AND COMB. 199 
but after carefully testing both heavy and light founda- 
tion, Iam of the opinion that side-walls are not only an 
advantage, but that they should be quite heavy. I have 
placed foundation in the center of a good swarm in warm 
weather, and in 24 hours, the cells would be drawn out 
from one-half to two-thirds of their full length. Similar 
experiments convince me that the extra wax can thus be 
used in completing the cells, in much less time, and at 
less expense, than when the wax must be secreted by the 
bees. Much of the foundation manufactured, does not 
possess this advantage. I would not have 1 lb. of wax 
make more than 5 square feet of foundation. 
USES AND VALUE OF FOUNDATION. 
Foundation would be valuable, if only used as guides 
in frames, as it would be a means of securing straight 
combs. But its full worth is best appreciated, when com- 
plete frames of it are put into the brood-nest. The value 
of full cards of perfect worker-comb cannot be over-esti- 
mated, and in no other way can they be so economically 
produced. Weare also able to entirely control the quan- 
tity of worker-comb, and exclude drone-comb at pleasure. 
The value of foundations in hastening the increase of 
bees, is apparent. Those without a supply of empty 
combs, may, during the spring months, use foundations 
to advantage. I have, when transferring, thus filled up a 
desired number of frames and placed them in the center 
of a strong colony when apple-blossoms were yielding 
honey. In 48 hours, the cells were drawn out, and filled 
with eggs. It is clear that the value of the bees reared in 
such combs, in advance of those that could not be ma- 
tured until natural combs were built, would more than 
equal the cost of the foundations. 
If honey is being gathered rapidly, I should pronounce 
good foundations at such times, superior to empty combs. 
