386 



COMB FOUNDATION. 



not satisfied with imperfect work. The only reason we can 

 ascribe to the Rietsche press being popular in Europe is that 

 the bee-keepers find it difficult to purchase foundation made 

 of pure beeswax there. So they prefer to make an imperfect 

 article out of their own product, rather than buy an imitation 

 which breaks down in tlie hive and which the bees often re- 

 ject (686). 



682. Comb foundation is now made by several firms in 

 endless sheets, which ai'e cut to proper length as fast as they 



Fig. 144. 



SIX-INCH VANDi:nvORT MILL. 



are printed. The "Weed process produces sheets most clear 

 and malleable and makes a superior article of foundation. 

 But for the bee-keeper who Avishes to make his own wax into 

 .sheets, the dipping pi'ocess may still be used. We give a short 

 description of it (680). 



683. The wax used for thin surplus-foundation is a 

 selected grade. Wax from cappings ('772) and Southern 

 wax are the best for this purpose, owing to their light color. 



