78 THE BEE keeper's MANUAL. 



teen pounds of hydrogen and carbon. Now as oxygen is the 

 grand supporter of animal heat, the consumption of so large 

 a quantity of it, aids in producing the extraordinary heat 

 which always accompanies comb-building, and which is nec- 

 essary to keep the wax in the soft and plastic state requisite 

 to enable the bees to mould it into such exquisitely delicate 

 and beautiful shapes ! Who can fail to admire the wisdom of 

 the Creator in this beautiful instance of adaptation ? 



The most careful experiments have clearly established 

 the fact, that at least twenty pounds of honey are consumed 

 in making a single pound of wax. If any think that this is 

 incredible, let them bear in mind that wax is an animal oil 

 secreted from honey, and let them consider how many 

 pounds of corn or hay they must feed to their stock, in order 

 to have them gain a single pound of fat. 



Many Apiarians are entirely ignorant of the great value 

 of empty comb. Suppose the honey to be worth only 15 

 cts. per lb., and the comb when rendered into wax, to be 

 worth 30 cts. per lb., the bee-master. who melts a pound of 

 comb, loses nearly three dollars by the operation, and this, 

 without estimating the time which the bees have consumed 

 in building the comb. Unfortunately, in the ordinary hives, 

 but little use can be. made of empty comb, unless it is new, 

 and can be put into the surplus honey-boxes : but by the 

 use of my movable frames, every piece of good worker- 

 comb may be used to the best advantage, as it can be given 

 to the bees, to aid them in their labors. 



It has been found very difficult to preserve comb from the 

 bee-moth, when it is taken from the bees. If it contains 

 only a/m of the eggs of this destroyer, these, in due time, 

 will produce a progeny sufficient to devour it. The comb, 

 if it is attached to my frames, may be suspended in a box' 

 or empty hive, and thoroughly smoked with sulphur- this 



