STATUS OF APICULTURE IN UNITED STATES. 73 
With the advent of the movable-frame hive and honey extractor 
it became orthodox to continue the use of combs }^ear after year. 
The invention of methods making tins possible was of such great 
benefit to the apicultural industry that it may almost be said that 
without it there would be no industry. At the same time it may be 
that bee keepers have formed the habit of using their combs in this 
way, and in consequence are losing wax. It must not be overlooked 
that it is part of the life activity of bees to build wax, and in working 
bees to get the maximum financial return from them it may be 
desirable to allow them to spend some energy on wax production. 
For example, immediately after swarming, under natural conditions, 
bees secrete a large amount of wax; they also, of course, build wax 
at other times, but there is much more of a tendency then than at 
any other period of their activity. There is good reason to believe, 
also, that at the time specified the amount of honey consumed in 
building a pound of wax is less than at any other time. With wax 
worth so much more per pound than honey, it would seem to be 
desirable in some cases to take advantage of the wax-building ability 
of bees. 
In rendering wax from comb the usual procedure is to squeeze the 
combs in a press while hot. With but few exceptions, this is the only 
method used. Since this takes too long, and especially since all the 
wax can not possibly be removed, it would be wise to look for some 
other method. A better method would not only mean greater profits, 
but would be a gigantic step in advance in bee-disease eradication. 
The loss due to inadequate extraction does not, of course, include 
the enormous loss from wax which is thrown away or which is allowed 
to be destroyed by wax moths for lack of fumigation. 
Enemies. — When it is considered that bees live in a large com- 
munity and seemingly present an excellent opportunity for the 
intrusion of parasitic forms and predaceous animals, it is a matter 
of surprise that they are so free from this source of loss. 
The wax moths (Galleria mellonella L. and Achroia grisella Fab.) 
rarely trouble thrifty colonies, and therefore are not dreaded by 
progressive bee keepers in the colonies; they do, however, often 
destroy stored combs. 
Diseases. — From the standpoint of present need there is no question 
in apiculture which at all compares in importance with the control of 
bee diseases. There are now recognized two distinct brood diseases 
which are contagious and which annually cause enormous losses to 
those engaged in the industry. There is reason, too, to believe that 
these diseases are spreading to new localities at a rapid rate, and 
unless vigorous steps are taken there can be no doubt that in a few 
years they will be distributed to every part of the United States, 
78013°— Bull. 75— 11 6 
