8 BEEKEEPING IN TASMANIA. 
mends either a capping melter, or, if the beekeeper is intending to have any- 
thing over 40 to 50 colonies, a cappings reducer. This machine would cost at the 
present time about £10 10s. A cappings melter would only be about 30s. to 
35s. <A press for obtaining the wax out of old combs can be very cheaply made, 
but is an essential article. A description of same can be given. A machine for 
making foundation is a very useful article, and almost a necessity if more than 
50 colonies are kept. Under that amount it would be better for the beekeeper to 
buy the foundation necessary. Incidentally it might be mentioned that foundation 
mills at the present time are at a. prohibitive price, but sometimes a second-hand 
one may be obtained at a reasonable figure. A bee-proof room for an extracting 
room and for storage of surplus combs, honey, &., is absolutely necessary, as, 
although while a good honey flow is on, extracting may be carried on with. open 
doors and window; still, some work has often to be done when a dearth of honey 
occurs. Then it is imperative that the bees be entirely Ss from where opera- 
tions are being carried on. 
JOHN VAIL, ; 
GOVERNMENT PRINTER, TASMANIA, 
