>>a top bar hive. The hive is oriented north-south with a south facing entrance. So, the top bars were then oriented east-west. ... The bees had moved to the rear of the hive ... and began making their comb in a north-south direction.

Probably because of their preference to orient the combs perpendicular to the entrance?

>>I had to go in and cut the new comb pieces off and attach them to the east-west oriented top bars, after which the bees did do it my way.

They will follow the template given to them.  Especially if it already contains eggs, larvae, and food.

Waldemar

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