. The Bee-keepers' review. Bee culture. THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW. the requisite strength necessary in trans- portation. If we carefully examine the process of comb-building, the added knowledge will enable us to understand why a founda- tion without cell-walls so closely approx- imates natural comb in the finished prod- uct. During comb building small particles of wax are constantly being welded to the edges of new comb, which is also true of foundation with rudimentary cell-walls. Bees invariably attach the plastic materi- al to the edges, which are previously re- duced to a like cohdition, in
. The Bee-keepers' review. Bee culture. THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW. the requisite strength necessary in trans- portation. If we carefully examine the process of comb-building, the added knowledge will enable us to understand why a founda- tion without cell-walls so closely approx- imates natural comb in the finished prod- uct. During comb building small particles of wax are constantly being welded to the edges of new comb, which is also true of foundation with rudimentary cell-walls. Bees invariably attach the plastic materi- al to the edges, which are previously re- duced to a like cohdition, in order that the work may be homogeneous through- out. As a natural consequence, the base or septum is scarcely touched during a good honey yield. With foundation having no cell-walls, the angular bases must first be operated upon by the bees, and rendered sufficiently plastic to retain the new particles of wax. This process practically renews the entire base, inas- much as the angles of both sides necessi- tate much closer work than we would naturally expect. While this process of renewal or render- ing the angular surface plastic is pro- ductive of comb equaled only by the natural, it also causes the warping already alluded to, especially when the sides are operated upon unequall}-. In all lines of progress, however, with a point gained we are likely to encounter a corresponding evil. But inventors wear them away. By fastening the foundation on three sides, the objection would be overcome, although a lesser one (that of fastening) would present itself. Although I do not like divided sections, which, by clamping, secure the founda- tion, still I think some method should be devised to supersede the use of hot plates or melted wax if possible. In all probability, we shall not experience a honey yield for some time which will fully equal that of last season. Under the circumstances of a poor yield, the Michigan foundation might prove a fail- ure. Certainly, 1897 was exceptionally
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectbeecult, bookyear1888
