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Foundation Machines. 



though a great aid to apiculture, were still imperfect, and 

 though sold at an extravagantly high price— through no 

 fault of Mr. Root, as he informs me— were in great demand. 

 Next, Mrs. F. Dunham greatly improved the machine by 



1 20. 



so making the rolls that the foundation would have a very 

 thin base and high thick walls which, in the manufacture, 

 were not greatly pressed. These three points are very 

 desirable in all foundation — thin base and thick, high walls, 

 which shall not be compactly pressed. 



Mrs. Dunham is not only entitled to gratitude for the 

 superior excellence of the machines she manufactured, but 

 by putting so excellent a machine onto the market at a 

 lower price, all roller machines had to be sold more reason- 

 ably. Mr. Vandervort also improved the rollers, so that 

 his machine secures the same results as does Mrs. Dunham's, 

 while the form of the foundation is somewhat more natural, 

 though not preferred by the bees I think. Another form 

 of foundation — that with flat bottom — is made by the Van 

 Deusen mill. This has a very thin base, and is very hand- 

 some. It was made to use with wires. This can be made 



