312 



Beekeeping 



is decidedly preferable to use full sheets to insure uniformity 

 of comb. The sheet is fastened to the top of the section, is 

 sUghtly narrower than the inside of the section so that it 

 can swing freely and extends to within f to | inch of the 

 bottom. To secure better attachment of the comb to the 

 bottom, it is becoming more commonly practiced to put 

 a f inch strip of foundation at the bottom and then make 

 the top piece of foundation long enough to extend to within 

 f to ^ inch of the bottom starter. The 

 desirability of using the bottom starter 

 is somewhat determined by the character 

 of the flow. 



The pieces of foundation are usually 

 fastened in place by a machine in which 

 a heated metal plate is brought near or 

 in contact with the wood at the point 

 where the foundation is to be attached 

 and the foundation is brought against 

 it. The heated plate is then promptly 

 removed and the melted wax fastens 

 the foundation to the wood. Grooved 

 sections which fasten a full sheet of 

 foundation in place as they are folded 

 are sometimes used (Fig. 132) while 

 some beekeepers (especially in Europe) 

 prefer a section split on top and sides 

 in which the foundation is continuous 

 through a row of sections. 

 The work of folding the sections, putting in foundation 

 and placing them in supers should be done in advance of 

 the honey-flow and this should usually be the winter em- 

 ployment of the comb-honey producer. Enough should 

 be prepared to care for the maximum crop, for the bee- 

 keeper has no time for this work when the rush is on. Three 

 supers for each colony should be the minimum number. 

 The prepared supers should be carefully protected from 

 dust. 



Fig. 



135. — Section 

 folder. 



