46 
A YEAR AMONG THE BEES. 
Working as I have above directed, Emma puts in 7 starters 
per minute, at her ordinary rate of working ; by hurrying, 
she has put in 10 per minute. 
Since using this machine, the dropping out of starters is 
of very rare occurrence. Occasionally one has dropped out 
because the starter was pressed so hard that it was actually 
cut off, but I think it was because the edge of the presser 
was a little too sharp. Even then it would only occur when 
the wax was very soft and pressed very hard. 
CUTTING FOUNDATION STARTERS. 
I have received foundation in different sized sheets ; some 
of it cut into the proper size for starters, some of it large 
enough for five, and some as high as ten full-sized starters. 
I do not like it cut to the smallest size, for I like at least one 
edge of a starter cut quite true and straight, and to have it 
so I must cut it myself. After practicing different ways, I 
have settled upon the one that suits me best. Take a board 
about 18 inches long and 12 inches wide. On one end nail 
two or three pieces of section, so that the foundation, when 
placed upon the board, may not project over the end. At 
each side drive lj^-inch wire nails partly in, at the proper 
distances to cut the desired size. A pocket-knife (I use a 
Barlow), a stick with a straight edge like a ruler, two or more 
flat-irons, and your paraphernalia is complete. 
The room must be very warm, and the foundation must be 
warm enough so there is no sort of danger of breaking it. 
Generally the foundation comes in strips of the right width, 
and needs only to be cut into lengths. Take five of the 
strips and arrange in an even pile ; lay the pile on the board, 
pushing it against the section pieces at the end, and lay 
another pile beside it. Place the ruler across the piles, 
against the nails. The hot flat-iron should be before you, 
supported in some way so the flat side shall be uppermost. 
Lay the blade of your knife flat upon the flat-iron till it gets 
hot, hold the ruler firmly to its place and cut across. A 
little practice will enable you to hold the blade flat against 
