COMB. 



79 



will kill any worms which it may contain. When the 

 weather is warm enough to hatch the eggs of the moth, this 

 process must be repeated a few times, at intervals of about 

 a week, so as to insure the destruction of the worms as 

 they hatch, for the sulphur does not seem always to destroy 

 the vitality of the eggs. The combs may now be kept in 

 a tight box or hive, with perfect safety. 



Combs containing bee-bread, are of great value, and if 

 given to young colonies, which in spring are frequently 

 destitute of this article, they will materially assist them in 

 early breeding. 



Honey may be taken from my hives in the frames, and 

 the covers of the cells sliced off with a sharp knife ; the 

 honey can then be drained out, and the empty combs re- 

 turned to be filled again. A strong stock of bees, in the 

 height of the honey harvest, will fill empty combs with won- 

 derful rapidity. I lay it down, as one of ray first principles 

 in bee culture, that no good comb should ever be melted ; 

 it should all be carefully preserved and given to the bees. 

 If it is new, it may be easily attached to the frames, or the 

 honey-receptacles, by dipping the edge into melted wax, 

 pressing it gently until it stiffens, and then allowing it- to 

 cool. If the comb is old, or the pieces large and full of bee- 

 bread, it will be best to dip them into melted rosin, which, 

 besides costing much less than wax, will secure a much 

 firmer adhesion. When comb is put into tumblers or other 

 small vessels, the bees will begin to work upon it the sooner, 

 if it is simply crowded in, so as to be held in place by being 

 supported against the sides. It would seem as though they 

 were disgusted with such unworkmanlike proceedings, and 

 that they cannot rest until they have taken it into hand, and 

 endeavored to " make a job of it." 



