220 MONEY IKT BEES IN AUSTRALASIA 



There are many bee-keepers who get along very well 

 with "starters," but when the general run of these combs 

 are compared with those drawn from full sheets, the 

 comparison is not at all flattering. The comb produced 

 naturally is frail, and will not bear handling to the extent 

 of one drawn from a full sheet of foundation. Some 

 apiarists use foundation made on plates, and the combs 

 are very strong, but rather too much wax is used. It 

 would hardly do to have so much wax idle in. the midrib. 

 Combs built of sheets, seven or eight to the pound, are 

 quite strong enough for every day use. A bee-keeper that 

 has never had a mill or an unlimited supply of full 

 sheets, has never really experienced the full benefit of 

 comb foundation. 



When one wishes the most economical production of 

 worker-comb, there is only one way, — a full sheet in the 

 super during a honey flow. It is hardly necessary to 

 repeat that foundation cannot be given to colonies during 

 the winter months even should a flow of honey be avail- 

 able. While the bees may gather some honey, they are 

 unable to "work" wax during the cold months of the 

 year. In Australasia there is little or no wax produced 

 after March nor before the following August or 

 September. 



TRAVELLING BEES. 



COOL WEATHER BEST. 

 During the interval mentioned above, bees rarely have 

 much brood, and the population is less numerous ; this 

 latter circumstance is often the deciding factor when bees 

 are to be moved to a new site. In some foreign countries, 

 which suffer a rigorous winter accompanied by heavy 

 falls of snow, it is impracticable to transport them during 

 the cold months. Early spring and the " f all " are usually 

 selected for hauling bees. Australasian conditions, 

 however, are such that bees may be moved without injury 



