98 BEE CULTURE. 
being rolled through a machine (fig. 70), have indentations 
made on both sides that form the foundation of cells, which 
the bees readily accept and work out into comb. 
It would be tedious to review all the various styles of 
foundation presented to bee-kcepers since it was first intro- 
duced in America, and the claims of the many machines now 
upon the market for its manufacture. We have had founda- 
tion with triangular-shaped cells, with flat-bottomed cells, 
with high side-walls, and with no walls at all; with linen, 
cotton, wood, paper, tin-foil and woven-wire for a base ; while 
latterly, we have had foundation with fine wires imbedded 
Fie. 70.—Comb Foundation Mill. 
therein, and frames of foundation with wires pressed therein. 
Experience is demonstrating, however, that a medium heavy 
sheet—say, four-and-a-half to five feet per pound, with a 
thin base or septum, and heavy prominent side-walls or lines, 
is the most desirable for economy in the use of wax, and 
rapidity in comb-building by the bees; and whether it be dis- 
tinguished by the name of Dunham, Given, Bourgmeyer or 
Ferris—or call it whet you will—the above characteristics 
will be predominent in the comb foundation hereafter used 
by all progressive apiarists. 
