3° 



THE BOOK OF BEE-KEEPINO. 



Four-bee-way Section, 

 Folded. 



United States. The best are made in one piece, having 

 a V cut (f, f, f) where each fold is to take place, the two 

 ends being square-dovetailed ; when, by simply — having first 

 wetted the reverse side of the V cut — bringing the two dove- 

 tailed ends together, it forms a small box without top or 

 bottom. The top and bottom bars are made narrower than 

 the sides (n, n). This is to form a pas- 

 sage, when the sections are placed close 

 together, for the bees to enter from the 

 hive below. In the autumn of 1886, four- 

 bee-way sections were introduced, as 

 it was presumed that the bees, having 

 passage-ways all round the comb, it 

 would be easier for them to pass from 

 one comb to another, and finish them 

 off quicker and more perfectly ; it has 

 these advantages, but in a very minor 

 form We have used them with advan- 

 tage, but opinions differ as to whether the 

 two-bee- way or the four-bee- way sections 

 are the better. They can be obtained with either plain or split 

 tops. The latter sections are exceedingly convenient, and are 

 probably the most popular, since the foundation can be fixed 

 instantly. When full sheets are used — and these no doubt prove 

 to be an economy in the long run — sections should be obtained 

 with three grooves to receive the squares of foundation, in addition 

 to the split top. Most bee-appliance dealers sell the foundation 

 cut into square to fit the sections for a little higher price, and this 

 certainly saves much time and trouble. When four-bee-way 

 sections are used, the separators must have a slot cut in them, 

 just at the point where the side passages occur. (See illustration 

 on page 79.) 



53. rouudation. — This was invented as far back as 1857, 

 by a German, and further perfected in America, notably by A. I. 

 Root, of Ohio. It consists of sheets of beeswax, impressed by 

 means of a machine with the shape of the base of the natural cells, 

 and is one of the most valuable adjuncts to modern bee-keeping ; 

 without it, honey in the form and quantity in which we see it 

 would be unknown. The wax of which this is made must be 

 absolutely pure beeswax. The price of such wax having, on 

 account of the large demand for same, risen so consider- 

 ably, has given rise to adulteration with some descriptions of 

 earth, wax, and fats. Beeswax melts at a temperature of 146" 

 Fahr., while the melting point of other wax and fats is much 

 lower. This adulterated foundation will not stand the internal 

 heat of the hive, and so sags, or breaks down ; in which case it 

 is most likely to destroy all or most of the bees in the hive, 

 drowning them in the honey which has been stored in the combs. 



