and its Economic Management 333 



CHAPTER XXI. 

 THE PRODUCTION OF WAX; 



AND NON-USE OF FOUNDATION. 



^^^HE more one studies the matter the more is he con- 

 1 vinced that wax should be a profitable product of 



the apiary. We have been told over and over 

 again that the bees consume 20 lbs. of honey while pro- 

 ducing I lb. of wax therefrom. Upon the face of it the idea 

 is merely theoretical, as in the first place it is ridiculous 

 to presume that an article costing, if we say only 5s. (20 

 lbs. of honey at 3d.) could be sold for is. 6d. Supply and 

 demand regulate prices, and, as a matter of fact, wax is 

 comparatively scarce, therefore the question of cost should 

 be set at rest once and for all. In bringing the matter to a 



Practical and Definite Conclusion, 



I built a frame house, fifty feet long by ten feet wide, 

 and covered it with calico, so that the bees could not get 

 out and would only fly in that space. There were several 

 important factors to be considered ; the bees experi- 

 mented with had access to both water and pollen, but no 

 brood was allowed at the time. The experiment was 

 carried out where the bees were not confined to the hive, 



