FOUNDATION MILLS. 369 
with the help of a skilled mechanic. A. Washburne. He 
sold hundreds of these mills afterwards. 
680. In the practical use of comb-foundation, the most 
sanguine expectations were realized: 
J. Every comb that is built on foundation is as straight 
as a board, and can be moved from one place to another, 
in any hive, without trouble. 
2. The combs built on worker-foundation are exclusively 
worker-combs, with the exception of occasional patches, 
when the foundation sags slightly. 
8. All the wax produced by the bees, and gathered by 
the Apiarist from scraps, old combs, or cappings, is returned 
to the bees in this shape, instead of being sold at the com- 
mercial value of beeswax, which is several times less than 
its actual cost (223). The cost of foundation for brood- 
combs is not very great, especially if we consider that this 
capital is not consumed, but only employed; as the wax 
contained in the combs represents at least one-half of the 
primary value of the foundation, and can be rendered again, 
after years of use, none the worse for wear. 
681. Different machines are in use in the United States. 
The flat-bottom foundation has the reputation of being the 
most regular, and thinnest; its main defect being the un- 
natural flat base of the cells, which renders it easier to 
manufacture, but objectionable to the bees, who have to 
remodel its base in using it (2183). It is manufactured 
with or without wires imbedded in it, to help fasten it in 
the frames. 
The Pelham-mill also makes an unnaturally-shaped foun- 
dation, the base of the cells being two instead of three- 
sided. This mill has the advantage of being very cheap, 
and is more easily manipulated than some of the others. 
682. The Given-press makes foundation similar to that 
of the old European presses. It has been highly praised by 
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