2o6 A Modem Bee-Farm 



appearance of the surface when capped will be much better 

 than that of those so often finished off with drone cells. i 



' While the profitable production of wax will be carried out 

 by those who have completed their stock, much will depend 

 upon locality, as well as the culture of bees most suited to the 

 purpose. 



Wax Extractors. 



Solar wax extractors are frequently used, with a large 

 surface of glass, on a frame ; all being air-tight enclosing a 

 perforated vessel to take the wax and a pan under, but these 

 are not so satisfactory as those worked by steam. A cross 

 section of a suitable wax refiner is shown in two sections. A 

 piece of fine flannel should be stretched across, under the 

 perforated comb holder A, thus 'thoroughly refining at the first 

 operation. The wax running on to the false bottom passes 

 out by the spout into a convenient receptacle. When it 

 is required to work from a steam boiler, the steam pipe 

 should enter just above the water line shown, and no water 

 will_^~be required below, as when placed over a stove. The 

 wax will be of still finer quality if the vessel it runs into 

 •contains warm water. 



The illustration is that of Mr. Cheshire's pattern, and is 

 manufactured by Mr. Meadows, of Syston. (See Fig. 57). 



Cost of Producing Wax. 



My experiment was conducted in a large flight room, 50 

 feet by 10 feet. A swarm of nearly 3 lbs. weight was made' 

 up and given frames, with a line of wax as a starter to each. 

 I determined to avoid the complication that would arise if 

 brood were produced, but at the same time it was necessary . 

 to have a fertile queen presiding, or the bees would not work 

 to the best advantage. The new combs were therefore., 

 removed every three days, and though occasionally eggs were 

 to be seen, no food was consumed in their production other 



