9 



and the other on the bevel. In putting in the wedge it will be found 

 that by placing the bevelled edge towards the centre and the straight 

 edge to the outside it' can be pressed home much easier and will grip 

 the sheet of foundation much firmer. 



Fig. 3. — Spur Wire-embeddee. 



Another and perhaps a better method is to fasten the foundation 

 to the top bar with melted wax; a wax-tube may be used for this 

 purpose, but a spoon is equally effective. The method is to hold the 

 frame upside down with the foundation in place at a sufficient angle 

 to allow the melted wax to run down the top bar by its own gravity, 

 thus fastening the sheet as it goes. 



After having wedged the wax in, the wires should be embedded in 

 the wax. Perhaps the best method is to use the Spur wire-embedder. 

 The frame containing the wax is laid on a piece of board cut to loosely 

 fit inside the frame. The latter is placed with the wires up, and the 

 spur rolled along the wires, at the same time applying sufficient 

 pressure to embed them in the wax. 



Making Hives. 



There is no reason why a person handy with tools, and with 

 spare time on his hands, should not make his own hives, but it 

 must be understood that they should be made very accurately. 

 On the other hand, a person may find it to his advantage to purchase 

 all he requires from the manufacturers. In the former case one at 

 least should be purchased, in order to have an accurate pattern to work 

 from. The internal fittings, such a§ frames and sections, should cer- 

 tainly be procured from the manufacturers, as it is wellnigh impossible 

 to make these accurate enough without machinery. 



A very good plan when more than one hive is wanted is to get one 

 made up, and the rest in the flat, in parts ready to be nailed together, 

 and so save in cost of carriage. 



Mats. 



It is necessary for those using gable covers to place a mat over the 

 frames in the top super ; otherwise the bees will go up and build combs 

 in the cover. These mats can be cut from clean sacks, canvas, or 

 other suitable material. During cold weather it is advisable to place 

 additional mats to keep the bees as warm as possible. It is also an 

 advantage to place two sticks across the frames under the mats before 

 winter sets in, to allow a bee-passage during excessive cold weather. 

 When mats become damp remove them and replace with dry ones. 

 Wood mats made of 3-ply material are sometimes used, but they are 

 more expensive, and are not recommended where the bees gather much 

 propolis. 



Covers. 



The use of covers of any particular design must be left to the 

 apiarist. Generally speaking there are two in use in New Zealand — 

 the flat and the gable. It is claimed for the gable cover that it 

 affords better ventilation, and is not so unsightly. The flat cover, on 



