266 THE LORE OF THE HONEY-BEE 



and as perfectly excluded during the sultriest time 

 of year. Double walls round the brood-chamber 

 are a necessity in the changeable British climate, 

 where chilly days are always probable during ten 

 months out of the twelve. 



As well as honey-production, the bee-farmer will 

 find an equal source of profit in the production of 

 wax. Just as there is nothing like leather, beeswax 

 holds its own as a marketable commodity in spite 

 of paraffin substitutes. But if it is almost univer- 

 sally degraded by adulteration, the fault lies with 

 the beemen, who have never seriously attempted 

 to meet the demand for it. Wax-production on a 

 large scale is perfectly feasible, and there is little 

 doubt that it could be developed into an important 

 British industry, as it used to be in mediaeval 

 days. Yet these are times of revolution : the 

 honey-bee may yet find herself entirely restored 

 to her old national avocation— of bringing light to 

 our darkness, and to our bodies one of the best 

 and purest ot foods. 



