AbVAtttAGEd. 867 



Coiisists in procuring straiglit and neat worker-combs to 

 replace them ; for if we simply remove the drone-combs, the 

 bees often replace them with the same kind (333). 



676. Good straight worker-comb, not too old, is the most 

 valuable cajjital of the Apiarist (442). For years, be- 

 fore the introduction of comb-foundation, we had been 

 in the habit of buying all the worker-comb from dead col- 

 onies that we could find, but we never had enough. 



The consideration of the above important points, and of 

 the great cost of comb to the bees (233), had long ago 

 drawn the attention of German Apiarists to the possibility 

 of manufacturing the base, or foundation, of the comb. 



677. In 1857, Johannes Mehring invented a press to 

 make wax wafers, on which the rudiments of the cells were 

 printed. Those only, who experienced the obstacles which 

 this industry presents, can form an idea of the energy and 

 perseverance that were required to succeed a3 he did. 



The foundation made by him then, was far from being 

 equal to what is now made. The projections of the cell- 

 walls were too rudimentary, sometimes not printed, and the 

 bees often built drone- cells instead of worker-cells; but 

 these imperfect efforts were the beginning of an industry 

 which has proved of inmicnsc advantage to bee-keepers, and 

 has spread like wild-lire wlicrever bees are kept. 



678. Another Apiarist, J-'eter Jacob, of Switzerland, 

 improved on the Mohring press, and in 1865, some of his 

 foundation was iniportitd to America, by Mr. H. Steele, of 

 Jersey City (Am. Bce-Jownnl, Vol. 2, page 221), and tried 

 by Mr. J. L. Hubbard, who reported favorably upon it. In 

 1861, Mr. Wagner had secured a patent in the United 

 States, for the manufacture of artificial honey combfounda- 

 tion by whatever process made. His patent was never put 

 to use, and rather retarded the progress of this industry in 

 America. 



679. The first comb-foundation made in America, was 



