THE APIARY. 355 



niug-like movement of their tongues, in a manner wliicli can but be regarded with 

 interest, even by him who suffers the loss. Mr. Moon, editor of the Bee-World, 

 made this an objection to low hives ; yet the advantages of such hives far more 

 than compensate, and with the bottom-board, such as described in the chapter 

 on hives, we shall find that the toads do us but very little damage. 



In the south-west of our country, from Missouri to Texas, there is a large 

 two-winged fly, belonging to the family Asilida?, which does some mischief. 

 ISTever having seen its evil work, I can suggest no remedy. 



During the past season I also learned from various apiarists of a parasite, 

 l^robably a tachina fly, that was preying upon the bees. It is to bo hoped that 

 this will give no serious anxiety. If it should become a troublesome pest, no 

 doubt but a remedy will be discovered. Man's intelligence has always proved 

 equal to his needs. 



BEES-WAX. 



Of course the prudent apiarist will desire that nothing be lost. So soiled 

 drone comb, and very old worker comb, may and should be melted into wax. 

 All other comb is far too valuable to be destroyed. 



The best method to separate the wax is to put it into a strong, rather coarse 

 bag, then sinking this in water and boiling. At intervals the comb in the bag 

 should be pressed and stirred. The wax will collect on top of the water. If 

 large quantities of wax are to be extracted, it is better to procure a wax ex- 

 tractor. 



WOKK FOR DIFFERENT MOIS'THS. 



^ Though every live apiarist will take one, at least, of the four or five excellent 

 journals relating to this art, printed in our country, in which the necessary work 

 of each month will be detailed, yet it may be well to give some brief hints in 

 this place. 



JANUARY. 



Durins: this month the bees will need little attention. Should the bees in the 

 cellar or depository become uneasy, which will not happen if the requisite pre- 

 cautions are taken, and there come a warm day, it were well to set them out on 

 their summer stand, that they may enjoy a purifying flight. At night when all 

 are again quiet return them to the cellar. While out I would clean the bottom 

 boards, especially if there are many dead bees. 



FEBRUARY. 



No advice is necessary further than that given for January, though if the 

 bees have a good fly in January, they will scarcely need attention in this month. 



MARCH. 



Bees should still be kept housed, and those outside still retain about them the 

 packing of straw, sha\-ings, etc. Frequent flights do no good, and wear out the 

 bees. Colonies that are uneasy, and besmear their hives should be set out, and 

 allowed a good flight and then returned. 



The colony or colonies from which we desire to rear queens and drones, should 

 now be fed, to stimulate breeding. 



If from lack of care the previous autumn, any of our stocks are short of 



