3° 



THE BOOK OF BEE-KEEPING. 



Four-bee-way Section, 

 Folded. 



suited is not obtainable in the British Isles; therefore, all 

 sections of any worth are imported from Canada and the 

 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 used them with advantage 

 during 1887, but we should not advise 

 any bee-keeper to go to the expense 

 of altering his plant to suit them. When such sections are 

 used, the separators have to have a slot cut in them, just 

 at the point where the side passages occur. 



53. Foundation. — This, although but recently used in any 

 very large quantities, 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. 

 The machine is made with two rollers, in a framework having 

 gearing for raising or depressing the upper one. The wax sheet, 

 after being warmed to render it more plastic, is placed between 

 these rolls, which are moulded so as to give the required form, 

 and, after being subjected to the necessary pressure, receives this 

 impression. It is one of the most valuable adjuncts to modern 

 bee-keeping ; without it, honey in the form and cjuantity in which 

 we see it would be unknown. The wax of which this is made 

 must be absolutely pure beesv/ax. The price of such wax having, 

 on account of the large demand for same, risen so considerably 

 lately, and the price of foundation declined, has given rise to a 

 considerable amount of 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. 



