STATUS OF APICULTURE IN UNITED STATES. 73 



With the advent of the movable-frame hive and honey extractor 

 it became orthodox to continue the use of combs year after year. 

 The invention of methods making this possible was of such great 

 benefit to the apicultural industry that it may almost be said that 

 without it there would be no industry. At the same time it may be 

 that bee keepers have formed the habit of using their combs in this 

 way, and in consequence are losing wax. It must not be overlooked 

 that it is part of the life activity of bees to build wax, and in working 

 bees to get the maximum financial return from them it may be 

 desirable to allow them to spend some energy on wax production. 

 For example, immediately after swarming, under natural conditions, 

 bees secrete a large amount of wax; they also, of course, build wax 

 at other times, but there is much more of a tendency then than at 

 any other period of their activity. There is good reason to believe, 

 also, that at the time specified the amount of honey consumed in 

 building a pound of wax is less than at any other time. With wax 

 worth so much more per pound than honey, it would seem to be 

 desirable in some cases to take advantage of the wax-building ability 

 of bees. 



In Tendering wax from comb the usual procedure is to squeeze the 

 combs in a press while hot. With but few exceptions, this is the only 

 method used. Since this takes too long, and especially since all the 

 wax can not possibly be removed, it would be wise to look for some 

 other method. A better method would not only mean greater profits, 

 but would be a gigantic step in advance in bee-disease eradication. 



The loss due to inadequate extraction does not, of course, include 

 the enormous loss from wax which is thrown away or which is allowed 

 to be destroyed by wax moths for lack of fumigation. 



Enemies. — When it is considered that bees live in a large com- 

 munity and seemingly present an excellent opportunity for the 

 intrusion of parasitic forms and predaceous animals, it is a matter 

 of surprise that they are so free from this source of loss. 



The wax moths (Galleria mellonella L. and Achroia grisella Fab.) 

 rarely trouble thrifty colonies, and therefore are not dreaded by 

 progressive bee keepers in the colonies; they do, however, often 

 destroy stored combs. 



Diseases. — From the standpoint of present need there is no question 

 in apiculture which at all compares in importance with the control of 

 bee diseases. There are now recognized two distinct brood diseases 

 which are contagious and which annually cause enormous losses to 

 those engaged in the industry. There is reason, too, to believe that 

 these diseases are spreading to new localities at a rapid rate, and 

 unless vigorous steps are taken there can be no doubt that in a few 

 years they will be distributed to every part of the United States. 



78013°— Bull. 75—11 



