154 



A Modern Bee-Farm 



CHAPTER XXII. 



THE PRODUCTION OF WAX; 

 AND NON-USE OF FOUNDATION. 



THE more one studies the matter the more is he convinced 

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

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

 tively scarce ; therefore it is time the question of cost is set at 

 rest once and for all. In making 



A Test by Experiment, 



there are several important factors to be considered ; the bees 

 must have access to both water and pollen, but no brood must be 

 at the time produced. The experiment should be carried out 

 where the bees need not be confined to the hive, and yet they 

 must gather no other food than that supplied to them for the 

 purpose. The test should be carried out under a high tempera- 

 ture, and a fair swarm used for the occasion. 



I have been able to provide all the above conditions, except 

 as to temperature, and the result is that I find about 6i lbs. of 

 honey give a pound of wax. 



