Preparing hessian (burlap*) for top-bar cover cloths of a Warré hive

The flour paste in use here was made by stirring 125 g wholewheat flour and 10 g clothing starch (maize) in 1.5 litres cold water until dispersed, and then bringing it to the boil while stirring. It was cooled before applying with a brush. This amount just does 18 cloths each 360 x 360 mm.

Conversions to USA measures:

water -- 1.5 liters or 6 1/3 cups
flour -- 125 grams or 1 cup
starch -- 10 grams or 1 tablespoon

pasting_hessian.jpg (98930 bytes)

The cloths are trimmed to the outer rim of a hive-body box when dry. They are quite stiff when dry.

* Note

Hessian or burlap (chiefly USA) is a coarse woven fabric usually made from jute fibres and allied vegetable fibres. The name 'burlap' appears to be of unknown origin. The name 'hessian' is attributed to the use of the fabric, initially, as part of the uniform of soldiers from the German state of Hesse. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burlap

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