29 
the foundation and open the groove for the wedge, after which 
press the wedge tightly home in its groove, thus firmly fixing 
the foundation. If the foundation has erroneously been fixed 
in the outer instead of in the centre groove, it should be taken 
out and correctly inserted, otherwise the comb will be useless. 
To embed the wires in the frame in the foundation, lay the frame 
in which the foundation has been fixed on 
74. Embedding the embedding-board (86) with the wires 
Foundation. above the sheet of foundation. Take care 
that every part of the foundation is resting 
on the board and that the wire rests evenly along the surface of 
the foundation. Now take the embedder (87) and heat it in 
a fire, then run it lightly along the wire with an even pressure, 
so as to sink the wire into but not through the foundation ; the 
embedder should be just hot enough to melt the wax sufficiently 
to cause it to flow over and cover the wire. 
VII. HIVING. 
To prepare a hive for receiving a swarm, place the floor board 
(20) in correct position on the stand. 
75. Fixing Hive in With a spirit level ascertain if the floor- 
position and preparing board is level; if a spirit level is not avail- 
it for Swarm. able, a bowl of water may be used as a 
rough substitute. If the floor-board is not 
level and steady, it should be made so by wedging up the legs 
where necessary with pieces of zinc, iron, slate, or other suitable 
material. Place the body-box (21) on the floor-board, taking 
care that it fits closely thereto, leaving no space between the 
floor-board and the back or side walls of the body-box ; when thus 
correctly placed the spirit level should indicate that the body- 
box is level. Smear with petroleum jelly or vaseline the upper 
chamfered edges of the inner side walls of the body-box on which 
the frames will rest, and the under sides and meeting points of 
the shoulders of the frames which are to be inserted in the hive ; 
these frames should have been previously filled with foundation 
(78), unless frames filled with good empty drawn-out worker 
comb are available. One frame should be provided for each 
pound in weight of the swarm, allowing an extra frame if the 
weight of bees exceeds any given number of pounds by half 
a pound or more. Place these frames in the front part of the 
body-box, behind them place the dummy (25), the sides of 
which should first be smeared with petroleum jelly so that it 
may slide alofig the body-box walls when pushed back or for- 
ward; if a frame containing honey is available, it should be 
inserted next to and in front of the dummy; then push the 
dummy and frames tightly up against the front of the hive. It 
is important to remember that when the hive is closed, the 
shoulders of the frames in the brood chamber should always be 
in close contact, those of the front frame being in contact with 
the hive front; any propolis or dirt which prevents the frame 
