238 



AUSTRALIAN BEE LORE AND BEE CULTURE- 



neater and more even will be the foundation. It soon cools, and 

 is then easily peeled from the plaster cast. This brush founda- 

 tion will answer very well as a substitute for mill-made. 



GLOVES. — There are gloves made expressly for the handling 

 of bees. They are seldom, if ever, used by the practical bee-keeper. 

 Nevertheless, timid beginners may be excused for so doing, more 

 especially if they are ladies. Bees can sting through any ordin- 

 ary wearing glove. Proper bee gloves are made of indiarubber. 

 Nevertheless it is better to handle bees without gloves. 



HONEY EXTRACTOR.— There are several different kinds 

 of honey extractors in use, both two and four-frame. Some are 

 reversible, i.e., the comb can be reversed without removing it from 

 the extractor. It will not be necessary to purchase one when you 

 begin bee-keeping. They are rather expensive. When you have 



fairly started in the industry, it will ,pay to buy one. Remem- 

 ber, every time comb is destroyed, it is a loss of profit. Wax is 

 a secretion, and is produced from honey. It is estimated that 1 

 lb. of wax costs the bees from 15 to 20 lbs. of honey to produce. 

 I have seen some very serviceable extractors made by amateurs. 



THE QUILT.— This is a piece of American leather the full 

 size of the top of the hive, and is placed over the frames next to 

 the lid. During summer the enamelled side should be placed im- 

 mediately over the frames, but in winter the cloth side should 

 occupy that position. In placing it between the cover of the hive 

 and the bees, it has the advantage of confining the bees to the 



