102 MONEY IN BEES IN AUSTRALASIA 



the plea of standardisation militates against this form 

 in Australasia. "Criss-crossing" prevents "burr" to 

 a certain extent and is somewhat of a queen-excluder. 

 It also allows one air current passing upward between 

 two brood-combs to circulate between all those in the 

 super. 



Bee-keepers (generally British) accustomed to using 

 frames parallel with the entrance dub those other than 

 the centre, "back" and "front" combs. The Langstroth 

 man invariably designates them "side" combs. Un- 

 doubtedly the best position for winter is parallel with 

 the entrance. The apiarist should always overcome 

 clustering out, as it blocks up the ' ' gangway ' ' preventing 

 ingress and egress. The passages "choked up" tend to 

 make the insects dissatisfied^ and often breed the 

 inclination to swarm. No matter how thickly the insects 

 cluster out, should a cool change- come along they will 

 quickly retire within. 



Bees, after confinement by bad weather for a day or 

 so, will surprise the budding apiarist with their noisy 

 flight or "playspell. " An extra large number of bees 

 will be observed flying from each entrance, and the 

 beginner will perhaps imagine that a swarm is at hand. 

 However, after a "corroboree" they will settle down to 

 steady work again. 



QUEENS. 



PERFECTLY DEVELOPED FEMALE. 



Having accompanied the bees thus far through the 

 season, the apiarist will no doubt be subject to the 

 curiosity so often exhibited when the queen bee is 

 mentioned. That the royal mother is worthy of the 

 interest displayed goes without contradiction. That 

 the virgin queen — i.e. a queen who has not mated with a 

 drone or male bee — can lay eggs, aye, and drones 

 hatch from them are truths demonstrated daily by 



