comb guides, or comb foundations, see journal, March 16th, 1868, 28th, 31st, April 8th
a E
comb foundations
September 6, 1878. Some years ago I thought comb foundations (Fdn. ) might be
made from very thin metallic sheets passed under rollers to give impressions of cells and then
dipped in melted wax so that the bees might have enough to make the sides of the cells. I wished
to get something which would not sag as the common wax [crossed out: illegible] foundation and would economize wax. 
Today in conversation with my neighbor Mr. David McCord (for nearly two years I have been too
infirm from old [inserted: head] trouble to think about bees) he suggested that tin foil waxed enough to
be of proper stiffness and give the proper impressions might answer. In my experiments
with the [crossed out: comb guides] [inserted: guide frames] (See Volume 1, American Bee Journal) I found them a perfect success with
black bees but when I came to try them with the Italians they were as perfect a failure. They
lay idle between them for days and would build their combs on the sides of the guides often more
willingly than on the [inserted: triangular] guides of the frames, and I was forced to abandon them. Yesterday I thought
that by some changes they might be made acceptable to Italians. 1st. Put in all the frames strips
of foundation say one or two inches wide. 2nd. Hollow out at least the two top slats of the guide
frames thus. This would allow the bees to cluster upon the foundation (c) and to hang more in
a natural cluster at (a), and might entirely reconcile them to guides. 
These guide frames could be made so accurate that the bees would not have
room to build drone comb, just easy room for workers. In the height of the
gathering season bees build comb very rapidly, and it my be that the guide frames securing all
straight and worker comb, a given amount of new comb might be secured at less expense
than by giving so much foundation. The first experiments I made with foundation sent me by
Neighbor & Sons, London, led me to conclude that the bees spent as much or more time in
thinning [inserted: them, etc. ] as in building new comb. (The foundation was not as good as that now made. ) The
bees were gathering abundantly and I only experimented with a few nuclei, and no doubt not
enough for accurate conclusions. If [inserted: as] from my own experiments and those of others it seems probable bees
use pollen largely in comb building. (See 3rd edition of L. L. L. ) Then the cost of natural comb not near so great as
Huber found when he fed to confined bees that got no pollen. Mr. McCord will put into a strong stock
which must be fed some frames with strips of foundation, others with full complement of foundation and
[crossed out: all] between guide frames, some hollowed out as above, and note rate of building. Too late
for a fair test, but something may be learned. (7th) Sent to Professor A. J. Cook and D. A. Jones, Canada
some tinfoil to be waxed and passed under rollers and if possible tested this fall. Fear expense of foil will
be too much. May not foundation as thin as can be handled be prevented from sagging by some such plan
as this. 1st. Strips of tin say 3/8 inches scant wide with knife or thin spiral make slits to pass them
through top and bottom of frames, clinch on both. Fasten three strips of foundation into each frame
kept say 1/4 inch from the sides of frames and tins.