202 



THE AMERICAN APICULTURIST. 



bee-bread which passes through 

 their mouth into the first stomach, 

 there mixes with honey and then 

 goes into the second stomach, where 

 probably the separation of that part 

 intended for nourishment and that 

 for the true wax takes place, which 

 exudes through the six rings on 

 their abdomens, and between which 

 they show as clear white scales 

 which one can often plainly see. If, 

 for instance, the stomach, which at 

 the same time must make undula- 

 tory movements (for it as well has 

 distinct rings) is well warmed, the 

 wax exudes and this exudation 

 comes forth in very soft scales be- 

 tween the rings which lie on the 

 stomach. The bees know when to 

 draw out these warm, tender wax 

 flakes with their feet from their 

 little compartments with an incred- 

 ible swiftness and construct their 

 cells therewith. But generally they 

 take the necessary wax scales from 

 between the rings on the under 

 side of the abdomens of the wax- 

 secreting bees that hang in the 

 chainlike clusters. For if the bee, 

 which builds the cell, her little store 

 of wax has exhausted, she goes into 

 the cluster and gathers again anew 

 her mouth full of wax scales. 



Besides it is certain that this di- 

 gestion and fine preparation of wax 

 exists, and experience confirms that 

 the wax is not unwholesome, and 

 that pure honey in the comb may 

 be eaten without injury by those 

 who love it, 



Bodheim, Germany, July, 1783. 



EDITORIAL. 



Whenever you find, thoughtful 

 and able men warning the public of 

 impending danger and advising 

 needed reforms, it is far better to 

 listen to them and take immediate 

 action than to listen to the few in- 

 terested parties who never were 

 known to work for the interest of 

 the raajorit}'. 



The article in this number from 

 the pen of Mr. W. E. Clark, Ex 

 President of the N. E. B. A., and 

 one whose opinion demands respect 

 brings us again face to face with 

 the subjects of conventions or asso- 

 ciations ; and, indeed, we deem this 

 subject of more vital importance 

 than any other which comes before 

 the beekeepers for consideration. 



Why is it that our bee journals 

 do not find more to say about this 

 matter? If they are the proper 

 and legitimate representatives of 

 the beekeepers and are working in 

 their interests, will they not cope 

 with these subjects and render their 

 best judgment upon them ? They 

 need not fear injury if they are in 

 the right, and yet they know full 

 well that to bring this matter prop- 

 erly before their readers means re- 

 form which they seem to dislike. 



To-day, nearly the whole work of 

 educating the beekeepers is under 

 the control of the few who conduct 

 the bee journals, while the associ- 

 ations, the true representatives of 

 the will of the majority are subject 

 to the dictation of these journals. 

 Indeed, whenever the deliberations 

 of an}^ association do not please the 

 editors of these journals, the pro- 

 ceedings are suppressed and never 



