Patternless foundation, or negative patterned foundation

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Wax-comb Foundation was invented in 1857. I bet that inventors tried first plain sheets.

I did some reading, and my conclusion is: no, actually not.

Different people "invented" wax foundation over the years, until it became common in the United States. The 1857 inventor was Johannes Mehring, a carpenter and beekeeper from Germany who created comb templates from wood.

Before Mehring, people actually tried to make whole comb, using wax or rubber, or by trying to modify waffle irons, but Mehring discovered that the bees are perfectly happy with just the mid section of the comb, embossed.

So, no, the inventors didn't start with plain sheets and worked their way to embossed sheets, but started with whole comb and worked their way to starter comb.
 
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OK. Wax foundations have never been problem to me, and never will be. Their cost is £ 3/box (10 sheets), and I am not going to play with that goody.
Sometimes I have put a medium frame in the middle of langstroth frames and beed have done their combs there. But nicely they have made a gap between lower frames and the DIY comb.

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Last edited:
Finman and Pargyle 1 month bans.
over 40 posts deleted by these two users in the last 24 hours alone.

Admin.
 
Finman and Pargyle 1 month bans.
over 40 posts deleted by these two users in the last 24 hours alone.

Admin.

Admin, it's your Forum, your rules and your decision but from what I read P was only defending himself against continuous barbs from F.

P's sin is not to be able to resist the bait laid for him by F.

Meanwhile back on topic, I will try some frames of starter strips next season only to see if it effects the behaviour and demeanor of the bees.


CVB
 
Agree..P needs to ignore F's jibes at the one hive
 
Two way street !
Finny is abrasive but I've had to gently cuff Pargyle for attacking Finny when answering a post of mine just because I was of the same opinion as he ! I didn't quote Finny or mention him but in jumped Pargyle .
They'll get over it and be back refreshed :)
Certainly breaks the monotony of long Winter evenings :D
VM


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I go to Buckfast community apiary regularly during the season and they alternate frames...1 with foundation, 1 without etc...and did my basic on such a hive. The bees seem happier, and yes - there may be more drone brood - but I think by controlling the numbers of drone too heavily we do our bees a dis-service.

The bees there make smooth, uniform comb and in fact have fewer difficulties with joined frames than I do with foundation in all frames - to the extent that I will be going semi foundationless this season.

And as for the ban - I think the ignore button is much underated - as even the nicest people can be goaded one step too far...and P is one good person.
 
Sorry things have got out of hand again,ignored finny for 2 weeks because of fighting,missed his beekeeping input so much relented,pity and the new year just begun,,still goodwill to all
 
I read an old book on beekeeping and the author who was a commercial beekeeper from America used paper dipped in wax as foundation as foundation had not been invented, he marveled at the invention of embossed wax foundation and how it changed beekeeping for the better, it makes me wonder why we would want to go backwards
 
A century ago?.
How old do you think I am?
I was on the rescue team at Mossey common colliery .tobacco was chewed, cigarettes were kept in the rescue room as part of first aid treatment. After an accident ( there were many) a guy would be stationed at the pit head lighting and handing out cigarettes to both injured and rescuers !
I am not a hundred :D
VM


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yvadu3e2.jpg

Take that :D
VM


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No, VM, you FAR OLDER than that...
Well, at least we've established it was after Sir John Hawkins (not Raleigh) brought tobacco over here.
I did say much less than a century! touchy or what!
BTW VM was it canaries you used or the traditional firemen - who, before the fine inventions of Davy, Clanny et al went down first with a lit taper on the end of a stick to set light to any pockets of firedampf ? (see the correct spelling as well) :biggrinjester:
 
Fire damp ,a corruption of dampf. I'll grant you .
Canaries were kept in an aviary in the rescue room, when deployed only in an emergency they were caged in a glass sided cage complete with a small oxygen cylinder . To bring them round!
Touchy? Me!
Never .I thought the camel would make a nice change from sheep :D
VM


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I thought the camel would make a nice change from sheep :D
VM


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Only if you own a sturdy stepladder :eek:

sent from my netbook using two fingers with my tongue stuck out of the corner of m:Dy mouth
 
What about the hump ?
Once had a girl friend with a hump . Poor lass, it was so bad I had to take a spade with me when courting her :)
VM


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