Hi Robert, hi all !

>That was me; strips have not been a success in the  past, unless sandwiched
>between two straight combs. In which case they tell me  very little 
>about how the bees would build if left undisturbed.

3 suggested solutions to increase the chances of correct buildings:

1/  to use narrow and high frames as in the experimental sheets hive 
of Swiss François Huber (1750-1831) shows it: described in the book 
of Dr. Maurice Mathis (1951)"Vie et Moeurs des Abeilles = Life and 
Manners of the Bees" (frames width: 235 mm, height: 320 mm, 
thickness: 35-37 mm). I can send the drawing to those asking it of me 
by private mail.

2/  to also place small strips on the side uprights of the frames. To 
force the orientation of the chains of the wax-producing bees.

3/  to place largely perforated plastic films between the frames to be used as
guides for bees at the beginning of construction. (as for building of 
honeycombs)

hoping this helps :))
best regards
Jean-Marie Van Dyck (Belgium)

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