40 



compared, the Latin Square, replicated and randomised, appar- 

 ently always gives highly accurate results. 



The bearing of this advance on plot experimentation in all 

 its branches is obvious. If plot experiments of known accuracy 

 are repeated either upon different soils or under different weather 

 conditions it becomes possible to distinguish discrepancies due 

 to experimental errors from those due to changed conditions. 

 Where the latter are of importance, it is possible to evaluate 

 them analytically, and the results afford valuable guidance in 

 showing in what soils and in what regions a proposed change 

 in variety, in manurial treatment or in tillage procedure is likely 

 to be beneficial or the reverse. In all cases the need for the 

 very numerous results in order to average out uncontrolled causes 

 of error can be obviated by the use of fewer observations of 

 known accuracy under known conditions. 



APICULTURAL INVESTIGATIONS. 



Work has been directed towards the solution of two practical 

 problems of importance to beekeepers and is being carried out 

 by Mr. D. M. T. Morland. 



(a) The suitability of metal " semicomb " in place of wax 

 foundation as a basis for comb building. 



The results so far obtained appear to indicate that the 

 metal combs are not suitable for brood rearing in the climate 

 of this country. The Queens did not lay well in them, the brood 

 was scattered and the population consequently not kept up. 

 Moreover, the larvae tend to leave the metallic cell base and to 

 work upwards towards the wax extension at the mouth of the cell. 



Temperature appears to be maintained only at the expense 

 of the consumption of an undue quantity of stores. It is probable 

 that more adequate protection than that afforded by the simple 

 air space of the W.B.C. type of hive is needed when using these 

 combs. It is intended to test this point in the future. 



It was also noted that the bees were quick to detect small 

 inaccuracies in manufacture of the artificial cells, and where the 

 cells were on the small side the bees endeavoured to correct 

 matters by missing out a row every now and then and faulty 

 combs were the result. 



It was found that a strong stock would store honey in metal 

 combs in the supers. The season of 1924 was, however, such a 

 poor one in this locality that the test cannot be considered as 

 fair. 



(/>) The situation of the frames in relation to the hive front. 



The data respecting the situation of the frames in relation 

 to the hive front need to be analysed more fully than at present 

 before reliable conclusions can be drawn. The work has, how- 

 ever, brought to light useful indications for future enquiry. 



The chief method in both these investigations has been a 

 consideration of temperature conditions within the hive. It is 

 intended to continue work on these lines and also to make a 

 preliminary study of moisture and carbon dioxide in the hives. 



In the summer of 1924 a number of beekeepers representing 

 various county beekeepers' associations met and had a discussion 



