The Honey Bee 



1413 



hands often become soiled with this gum which is somewhat diffi- 

 cult to remove, but by using oil or grease, then soap, it is made 

 easier. Lava soap used alone is very effective. 



Iloyiey-dew 



This substance is secreted and discharged by the aphis, or plant 

 louse. It is occasionally gathered freely by the bees, and if stored 

 in their hives in any quantity for winter food, is a sure harbinger 

 of trouble for the apiarist. If possible it should be extracted from 

 the combs and good honey or sugar syrup fed for winter stores. 

 Where bees are long confined with much honey-dew for food, the 

 mortality is unusually great. This stuff is unfit for sale, and is 

 only useful to feed bees in warm weather when they may have fre- 

 quent flights. It is usually of a dark color and rank flavor. 



Beeswax 



Although the production of beeswax in this country is somewhat 

 limited, it is still a very important product of the honey bee. For 

 many years it has 

 been prominent as 

 an article of com- 

 merce and is 

 alwavs in demand, 

 the price fluctuat- 

 ing slightly at dif- 

 ferent seasons of 

 the year. 



There are min- 

 eral and vegetable 

 waxes known to 

 commerce : Each 

 have their uses, 

 but their values 

 are much lower, as 

 they are for many 

 purposes much less 

 efficient and effec- 

 tive than beeswax. 

 compare with it. 



Fig. 64. Hershiser wax press 

 For certain purposes no other substance can 



