When using frame hives it becomes an absolute necessity to secure straight combs, and as the Bees have no knowledge of their owner's preference, they are very likely, if untaught, to build their combs the way their fancy teaches them, and they often do not forget that the line of beauty is a curve. Now to induce the Bees to build straight, it is only necessary to lay the foundations of the combs for them, and this is done in various ways; the simplest is to cut up good clean Worker comb into straight strips (which need not be more than one or two cells thick), and cement these with melted wax on the underside of the top bar of each frame, taking care that the mid rib of the comb is exactly in the centre of the bar, and that the comb is the same way up as it was built. A useful cement, always ready for this purpose, may be made by Bee's wax dissolved in its equal weight of benzo. It should be rubbed smooth on a slab of glass or stone, with a spatula, or thin table knife. A layer of this should be spread down the centre of the bar, and the thin strip of comb pressed on to it, in the same manner as a bricklayer would lay a brick. After a few hours' exposure to the air, the benzoe will totally evaporate, leaving the wood, wax, and strip of comb firmly united, and the Bees will be found to work readily on it. In default of comb, the purpose will be answered by drawing a line of molten wax down the centre of each bar ; the line of wax need not be more than a quarter of an inch broad, nor thicker than an ordinary playing-card, but it is necessary it should be straight ; the Bees will accept that as the foundation of their comb, and work accordingly. A much more elegant and effective way is to furnish the frames with artificial combs, the method of making which is thus described by "A Lanarkshire Bee-keeper." Premising that these artificial combs are wax sheets, impressed on both sides by means of plates made of type-metal, with a _face sinile_ of the central part or foundations of a comb of Worker cells which the Bees readily convert and finish into real combs, the eradle of their future young : " Although there may be many different methods of " making wax sheets, such as using a belt of oiled cloth, " glass dippers, or wood, perhaps the latter for the " amateur will be found the best. The first thing to " procure is the genuine wax thoroughly cleaned ; next " obtain a vessel of sufficient size to dip the sheets in, so " that their length will be of the width of the vessel, " which is best made on the same principle as a glue-pot. " Having the wax melted, it is well that a supply be " kept to fill up as the material is exhausted in the " dipping pot. A vessel should next be obtained of " sufficient size to admit the dippers, two in number, " made of the best yellow pine, perfectly free from " stakes, knots, or resin-galls, and not more than a " quarter of an inch thick, tapered off at the point. " This vessel must be filled up with cold water and the " dippers steeped therein for some time previous to the " first dipping, and be plunged in after every dip to keep " them cool, so that an even surface of wax will adhere " to them. Having all in readiness, as described, the " operator must now try his hand at dipping. The " dipper must first be taken hold of by both hands, to " shake the water from it ; then take it in one hand, and " give a sudden plunge into the melted wax and quickly " withdraw, until the dipper is clear, let it hang for a " second or two until the wax stops running from it, then " give a gentle wave of the dipper with its two sheets " for the purpose of cooling them. If the wax has been " of the proper heat, two perfect sheets will be ready for " lifting from the dipper with a common table knife. " Lift the top edge of the sheet, then catch it with both " hands, and draw it from the dipper, and it will be " found to separate from the wet dipper easily ; then lay " the sheet on a flat table, turn the other side, and repeat " the process. If the sheets are not of a sufficient " thickness with one dip, the process may be repeated. " If the wax crack, or adhere very thinly, it is a sign it " was too hot ; next time it may be allowed to cool a " little if this were the case. It will, perhaps, be as well " to remark that the vessel holding the wax, and the " dipper, must be of larger dimensions than the sheets " are required, in order to allow of pruning, which may " be done in the following manner : Lay the sheet upon " a flat board, having another piece of wood as a pattern " the size the sheet is required, lay this on the top, then " with a pocket-knife cut to the size. The sheets at this " stage are now ready for pressing, which may be done " in the following manner : Mix a little soapsuds in a " basin, and with a sponge wet the plates ; having now " your sheet handed to you by an assistant, who has n 2* "warmed it moderately at the fire, place it between the "plates and apply the press, with a turn or two the "work is done; now slackcn and separate the plates, and "if they have been well soaped the perfectly impressed "and straight sheet is easily lifted. A piece of thin " wood must be used above the plates, well fitted, so that " the press (a common copying one will do) presses it " equally." Plates for making these sheets are sold by Messrs. Neighbour and Sons, Regent Street, London; and those who would rather buy than make can be supplied by that firm with the sheets all ready for use. Mr. Alfred Neighbour in his book _The A\({}_{\mbox{\it\small p}}\)iary_ says :--