158 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Farther experiments with candied honey and honey from different 

 plants revealed the fact that the temperature at which liquefaction 

 occurs varies with the kind of honey. Willow herb and basswood 

 honey became limpid at 145°, while alfalfa honey at that temperature 

 became only slightly limpid and no more transparent than before heat- 

 ing. Samples of alfalfa honey taken at 168° and 180° were dissolved, 

 but not limpid. At 194° the honey was fairly clear, but very much 

 injured in color, having become an amber brown. The flavor, however, 

 was but slightly affected. Samples of willow herb honey were nearly 

 water white at 145°. Basswood samples were a little more golden in 

 color. The change in raising from 145° to 180° was nearly the same 

 with each but many shades lighter than alfalfa honey. The change in 

 flavor at 180° was very slight, at 194° it was noticeable and about the 

 same with each sample. Comparing the two extremes it was noted 

 that less change was found to have taken place in samples heated in 

 tin than in those heated in earthenware, but alfalfa honey was injured 

 least in flavor. 



The flual conclusion is that the difference between the danger point 

 and the melting point is so great that there is little risk. If the heating 

 is done gradually and as it should be injury scarcely begins before the 

 temperature rises to 170°. The melting of virgin comb with the honey 

 has no effect on color or flavor at any temperature otherwise safe. 



An attempt was made to answer the complicated question "What 

 becomes of the feed in feeding for profit, etc. % " The factors which affect 

 this, as the character of the bees and their persistent energy in comb 

 building, etc., the character of the queen, the season, the size and con- 

 dition of the brood chamber, etc., are considered, and detailed data 

 given of a feeding experiment with three strong colonies of dark hybrid 

 bees for a period of four and a half weeks. The data are discussed at 

 length but no conclusions are drawn. 



For the preservation of combs the author has followed four methods: 

 (1) Placing them in hives with strong colonies where the bees might 

 have free access to them; (2) keeping the combs in closed hives in the 

 shop, the hives being placed one above the other, separated by layers 

 of paper and covered with a tight-fitting cover, so that all will keep 

 perfectly dry; (3) hanging the combs up to light and air; and (4) plac- 

 ing the combs in the hives in the bee cellar where the temperature is 

 not sufficiently high for the propagation of the bee moth, provision 

 being made for the exclusion of mice. The first method, where possi- 

 ble, is considered the best and safest although the second has been 

 used with success ; the third does well for a season or so, especially if 

 the combs are old and tough, but fresh combs appear to be injuriously 

 affected by light. 



In rendering wax the author prefers an open tin vessel 20 in. in 

 height and 24 in. in diameter to the ordinary wax extractor. For 

 combs containing cocoons he uses a rendering tank and prefers a tin 



