Jlfe-J.-eeping in Victoria. 105 



It accumulates until it reaches the wax outlet tube B. This is best 

 kept corked till it is desired to draw the wax into moulds or a cooling 

 vessel, when by opening the wax tube B and closing the water outlet A 

 the whole of the accumulated wax flows over when more liquids run into 

 the tank from the press or sufficient hot water is poured into it. 



A serviceable tank of this description can be made out of a kerosene 

 case and two tins by any one able to use a soldering iron. Cut the tops 

 out of the kerosene tins, close to the rim, and hammer back the cut 

 edges. Then cut the side out of one tin, as shown in Fig. 9, and the 

 other as in Fig. 10; put the tins into the case, straighten out the pieces 

 left for lapping over in Fig. 9 and the bottom piece in Fig. 10; then 

 solder together. Withdraw the lining from the case, cut the holes foi 

 outlets A and B into lining and case, reinsert the lining and solder on 

 the studs (which should be at least one inch in diameter) and the angle 

 piece covering A. The work is then completed. 



This receptacle, if emptied and wiped dry after use, will last for 

 many years, as wax has a protecting influence on tin. It will save a 

 great deal of labour by dispensing with skimming and remelting; water 

 will also be economized, an important consideration to bee-keepers who 

 are located in dry districts. 



XXII.— Comb Foundation. 



Comb-foundation consists of a thin sheet of bees-wax, impressed on 

 both sides with the bases of the smaller or worker cells of honeycomb. 

 It is given to the bees in the modern hive, suspended from the top bars 

 of the frames, kept straight by means of fine wires embedded in the 

 sheets, and is used by the bees as the midrib of, or the foundation 

 upon which they build, the comb. 



The advantages of using full sheets of foundation in the frames 

 instead of allowing the bees to build comb in their own way are dealt 

 with in another chapter. As comb-foundation is expensive, the very 

 best use should be made of it, and this object is only achieved when the 

 resulting combs are perfectly even and straight in the base, which, in 

 turn, is only possible if the foundation is properly manufactured. 



The comb-formdation sold by supply dealers is of the required stan- 

 dard of quality (Fig. 1, E.F.G.H.) ; but while the price is 2s. 3d. per 

 pound, with 2s. per pound for large quantities, the apiarist only obtains, 

 after allowing for freight and other charges. Is. to Is. 3d. per pound for 

 the grade of wax usually made into foundation. In consequence many 

 apiarists have purchased foundation rollers, and make their own foun- 

 dation. It is, however, questionable, in some instances, at any rate, 

 whether home-made foundation is not as expensive, and less satisfactory 

 as to sagging and buckling, than that purchased from dealers, owing 

 -to the extra weight of the sheets and the imperfect embossing. 



To turn out sheets, which, without making them too heavy, will be 

 drawn out by the bees into nearly perfect combs, requires some skill, 

 the proper appliances, and a knowledge of the properties of bees-wax 

 under difFerent temperatures during the process of manufacture. Most 

 ■of the foundation made by beekeepers is either too heavy or imperfectly 



