56 rEACTICAL BhE-KEEPING. 



into each space between three shots. The mould will now be perfect, 

 and the oast can be at once taken from it for use as before. If you prefer 

 it, yon may make a mould for cells worker size, also, by the former of 

 these two methods, then use shot called AAA 



While experimenting upon substituting paraffin for wax for comb 

 midribs we are pleased to learn that the whole thing has become an 

 established fact. Mr. Boot, the editor of Gleanings in Bee GvMv/re, 

 who had a machine for making " Long's Foundation," says, in his issue 

 for June, 1876, " We have dispensed entirely with beeswax, paraffin 

 being much cheaper, whiter, stronger, and more rapidly worked by the 

 bees." 



" In our experiments to determine what would give the paraffin the 

 requisite elasticity, we went to the bees and were told they added pro- 

 poUs to their wax when they wanted it very strong, and as they would 

 find it a hard matter to furnish as much white and tasteless propolis 

 as our family will need, we bethought us of a favourite gum of our 

 childhood — Burgundy pitch — and found that this, added to the paraffin 

 in very small quantities, gives just the tenacity needed." 



Drone Traps sometimes are of service to prevent the escape of black 

 drones, whose presence is most unwelcome, when we are endeavouring 

 to raise Ligurian queens, but it is poor management which allows of the 

 unrestrained production of the rascals and then traps them. Instead, cut 

 out all excess of drone comb, and graft worker into its place. Any 

 ingenious beekeeper may construct a drone trap for himself ; and, although 

 to ours the palm has twice been awarded, we are free to admit that a 

 common principle runs through all of them. The trap divides the exil 

 from the hive into two, one apparent from within, because light enters 

 by it, the other masked. The bees fly to the light, and pass out, as 

 intended, through a tube, the end of which is in the centre of a chamber 

 full of apertures, only large enough to pass a worker. The drones (more 

 bulky) are thus imprisoned, as they' try all comers for a way of escape, 

 but are not clever enough to retrace their steps. The workers' after 

 their flight, return by the masked opening, which is apparent from the 

 outside. 



Bobbimg never occurs when honey is very abundant ; bees vrill not even 

 notice it then in comb, however much it may be exposed ; but in times of 

 scarcity, when the weather allows the honey gatherers abroad, they are so 

 eager to gain supplies that they often attempt to enter weak or queenless 

 hives, to gain possession of its stores. Bobbing is Ubely to be brought 

 about by exposing sweets or feeding in such a manner that strangers can 

 get access to the syrup given, but our calico covers will often prevent the 

 source of mischief (see page 49). When a hive is attacked, the would-be 

 thieves may be known by their buzzing around the hive door, when one 

 and another of ttiem now and again settle, generally to be seized by the 



