HOW EFFECTED. 255 



ing wax in every hive when breeding, at any season 

 of the year ; (see Note on Signs, etc., Chapter xv) 

 and as the demand for wax with which to seal over 

 the brood increases, so too the supply is increased ; 

 but as it requires the consumption of a large amount 

 of honey to produce it, only an amount exactly corres- 

 ponding to their immediate wants is ever produced. 

 As soon, however, as a surplus of honey is afforded 

 by the flowers, there is a greatly increased demand 

 for wax, with which to repair their honey receptacles, 

 seal them over when full, and construct new ones. 

 Consequently, increased numbers of bees devote 

 themselves to its production ; but, as it requires 

 probably from three to six days (instead of twenty- 

 four hours, as is generally alleged) after a bee com- 

 mences to feed, for the purpose of secreting wax, that 

 period must elapse without an adequate supply. 



Now, if a swarm is driven when only enough wax 

 is being produced to seal the brood, the producers, 

 remaining quiet within the hive, will most likely be 

 driven out with the swarm ; thus leaving the parent 

 hive without an adequate supply at a time when their 

 wants are most pressing. 



- It is true that the driven swarm needs all the wax, 

 and more too, but cannot produce it in sufficient 

 quantities to meet their wants until a certain period 

 of time elapses, and then only by having an abund- 

 ance of food ; consequently, they either work to great 

 disadvantage, or remain comparatively idle during 

 that time ; which frequently discourages, and causes 

 them to entirely abandon their hive. 



