Wired Frames. 



235 



WIEED FRAMES. 



But as foundation does sometimes fall or sag, so that many 

 cells are changed to drone-cells, or warp into awkward shapes, 

 especially if the hive is unshaded, or receives a full colony of 

 bees with all its frames full of foundation, and as the wax is 

 sometimes so brittle that it will not hold together, however 

 well fastened, wired frames (Fig. 110) are rapidly coming into 



Fig. 110. 



use. Another point strongly in favor of such frames is, that 

 they can be handled or shipped, and there is not the least danger 

 of their combs falling from the frames. The wires should be 

 two inches apart, and the extreme wires not more than one- 

 half inch from the side of the frame. They may be fastened 

 by passing through holes in the top and bottom bars of the 

 frames, which must be exactly in the center, or they may be 

 hooked over little hooks, such as may be made by driving a 

 staple into the frame after we have cut one limb of the staple 

 off near the curve. If holes are to be made through the top 

 bars of the frame, they can be easily formed by use of sharp 

 awls. If these are set in a strong block like an iron rake, each 

 bar can be pierced at one stroke by use of a lever press. ' If 

 the foundation is to be stamped in the frame by the Given 

 Press, then the wire should be No. 36 ; if it is to be put on by 

 hand, then No. 30 must be used. Tinned wire should be used. 

 Some, even with the Given Press, prefer to put the foundation 

 onto the wires by hand. In this case the foundation should 

 be warmed tUl quite soft, then laid on the wires, and by use 

 of a shoe-buttoner, with a longitudal groove cut into the con- 

 vex side of the curve, pressed onto the wires. This work is 

 easily and rapidly performed. 



SAVE THE WAX. 



As foundation is becoming so popular, it behooves us all to 

 be very careful that no old comb goes to waste. Even now 



