56 MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS ON APICULTURE. 



done on a basis of two-story colonies. The wax m such a hive 

 weighs over G pounds, a averaging in value $1.80, Hawaiian wax being 

 of the finest quality. 



As additional data, it was learned that it is possible to increase the 

 number of colonies very rapidly. In one remarkable case reported, 

 20 colonies were increased to 420 in eight months. This fact shows 

 that a colony of bees can build up very rapidly under the conditions 

 existing on the islands. It must also be remembered that in cane sec- 

 tions there is practically no stopping of the honey flow. 



In view of all these facts it was obvious that if the wax be taken 

 from each colony it will form a good beginning in the annual return 

 from a colony. If, then, the colony is in as good shape in a year's 

 time as it was when the wax was removed, there will be honey enough 

 stored to make the annual money return higher than if the colony had 

 been run for honey alone. 



The method recommended is to shake the colony onto starters of 

 foundation. The brood is placed over another colony to develop so 

 that it may not be lost ; the honey is to be extracted. By dividing the 

 apiary into two parts, one-half may be shaken and the brood piled on 

 the other half. These in turn may be shaken in three weeks or 

 more and their brood added to the colonies shaken at first. This 

 manipulation is identical with the shaking in treating for bee dis- 

 ease. Similar methods are often employed in honey producing to 

 prevent swarming and to cause bees to work in the supers. In the 

 present instance, however, there is an entirely different reason for 

 the practice. 



In the trial made with a view to wax production, a surprising 

 showing was made, and it seemed obvious that the operation could 

 be repeated in not more than three months' time, and probably less. 

 If this be true, then there will be removed $1.80 worth of wax or more 

 at each shaking, which means a considerable gain. 



No positive statements of results can be made until the method has 

 stood trial for a time. If this plan serves the purpose in Hawaii, it 

 will also be valuable in other regions where there is a heavy honey 

 flow for a long time. 



DISEASE SURVEY. 



The bee keepers of the islands were very anxious to learn whether 

 or not they had any brood disease among their bees. They were quite 

 certain that there was none, but desired this opinion to be confirmed. 

 For this reason the apiaries visited were carefully examined by the 

 author and absolutely no trace of any known infectious disease was 



° Since this was written the writer has received a report, dated May 19, 190S. 

 on this series of experiments, showing that 8.SS pounds were extracted from 

 20 frames, this heing the actual average in an apiary of 120 colonics. 



