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AUSTRALASIAN 



machine by which sheets of wax are pressed into frames already' 

 wired for the purpose, and at the same time giving the sheets 

 the ordinary impressions of the base of the cells. Several 

 manufacturers at once commenced making and selling frames 

 of wire foundation, but it was soon discovered by purchasers 

 that this method of obtaining it was too expensive, as, in 

 packing, one frame of comb would occupy nearly as much 

 space as ljlbs. of ordinary foundation, consequently the 

 freight on a few sheets of the wired article came very 

 heavy. It was also found that many of the sheets broke 

 away from the wires in transit through rough handling. The 

 method now generally adopted by bee-keepers is to purchase 

 the ordinary foundation and wire it themselves. This is by 

 far the cheapest and best plan, and the one I would advise 

 those who desire to use wired foundation to adopt." Professor 

 Cook says also, " Some, even with the Given press, prefer to 

 put the foundation into the wires by hand." 



The following instructions will enable any one to fix the 

 wiring in his frames : - Pierce the top and .bottom bars -of the 



WIRING THE FRAMES. 



Kg. 88.— WIRED FBAME. 



frames, before putting them together, with holes two inches 

 apart, commencing a half inch inside the end bar. The holes 

 should be exactly along the centre of the bars, the number 

 required being nine to each. A small lever press, with a set of 

 short steel awls firmly fixed in it, could be made to pierce the 

 nine holes at one stroke. The wiring is done after the frames 

 are put together, No. 30 tinned wire being best for the purpose. 

 When imbedding the wires by hand, fasten one end of the wire 

 to a tack driven in near one end of the top bar, and pass the 

 other end through the holes (as in figure), fastening it in the 

 same manner at the other end of the frame. Care should be 

 taken, when tightening the wires, not to draw the frame out 

 of the square. 



