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 : 



1. 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. 



3. 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 eombs 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 (213). 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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