48 



the extractor is mounted is 4 ft. 6 in. diameter, and works on an axle about 

 2 ft. long, driven into a block of wood in the ground. The body of the 

 wax-extractor is lined with black sheet iron turned up at the sides, and 

 fitting loosely in the extractor. A long tin divided into three compart- 

 ments fits in the lower part for catching the wax as it runs from the combs. 

 The tin and the divisions should run smaller at bottom than at the top, to 

 ifacUitate turning out the cakes of wax, and the tops of the two divisions 

 should be | in. below the top of the tin. The middle compartment will 

 then retain any dirt or foreign matter running in with the wax, while the 

 clean wax will flow over into the outside compartments. 



Two others have recently been made for the State apiaries, but instead of 

 having the glass the full length of the sash, which in so large a size is very 

 expensive, a thin bar runs across the middle so as to lake two smaller sheets. 



Although the one shown in use at the Exhibition was not specially 

 sheltered, the temperature, as tested inside the extractor, frequently went 

 over 220° Fahr., and on one occasion it went up to 231J°, or 19J° above boiling- 

 point. The refuse from old combs — " slumgum," as the Americans call it — 

 came out of the extractor a>9 dry as possible, without a particle of wax left 

 in it, and the wax extracted was always of a nice clean yellow colour. 



With the exception of perhaps the sash and the metal parts, there is 

 nothing difficult about the making of such an extractor to a man handy 

 with tools. The woodwork must be substantial and thoroughly well 

 seasoned to stand the great heat, and must also be well put together, other- 

 wise it would soon fall to pieces. Screws are better than nails in the wood- 

 work. It is advis ible to bind the edge of the sashes with IJin. angle iron. 

 The depth inside from the lower sheet of glass to the iron lining should 

 not exceed from 2^ in. to 3 in. The wheel, of course, is handy for turning 

 the extractor to the sun, but is not absolutely necessary if one cares to lift 

 it round when required. 



If in a warm corner of the apiary and well sheltered, the extractor would 

 work at almost all times when the sun is shining. Such an appliance will 

 soon pay for itself in a fair-sized apiary, for every particle of comb can be 

 put in at once and converted into good commercial beeswax instead of being 

 wasted. 



VI. DISEASES OF BEES AND THEIR TREATiMENT. 



The hive-bee {Apis mdliflca), 'like all other animals, especially those 

 under domestication, is subject to several diseases, some fortunately of 

 minor importance. The most injurious are those which attack and destroy 

 the brood, thus preventing the normal development of youag bees, and 

 the inevitable result of which, when allowed to run their course, is the rapid 

 decline and ultimate extermination of the colonies affected. 



