THE AUSTRALIAN BEEKEEPERS’ JOURNAL. 
5 
The Chairman, in congratulating the mem- 
bers upon the excellent paper submitted, 
remarked that he had lost a second or third 
swarm after “taking” it in a box, and he 
wished to know how such an accident could 
be prevented. A member suggested that it 
might have been caused by some offensive 
odour in the box, and another said that if a 
piece brood comb were put in the hive it would 
never fail to keep them in. One said that he 
had heard that a perfectly clean hive would 
keep the bees in, and especially if some fennel 
or other odorous herb were rubbed on the 
inside. The Secretary objected to the use of 
any scents, and found that it invariably 
caused the bees to attack him. He had found 
that it was by far the best plan to let the first 
swarmings take place. Then the swarm has 
to be taken in a light box or basket, and 
thrown down in front of the new hive, taking 
care of the queen. Another member never 
threw his bees down in front, but took off the 
top of the new hive, threw the swarm on top, 
and they always went in, after taking out one 
or two of the frames perhaps. Mr. Liddle 
raised the question whether an owner could 
follow a swarm into a neighbour’s property. 
A legal member stated that, in his opinion,' a 
person could not follow a swarm in this 
manner, but the adjoining owner would not 
be allowed to take the swarm. Another mem- 
ber stated that a case had been tried in one of 
the country districts and decided in favour of 
the original owner, but this was stated to be 
no authority. The opinion of many was that 
the British law prevailed here, and that any 
owner was allowed to pursue his bees. It 
was stated that the American Government 
was adopting strongly protective laws in the 
interests of owners of bees and securing their 
rights in swarms. 
A number of questions were submitted and 
answered by various members. The first was 
— Is it necessary to cure honey by exposure to 
the air, when it is being rapidly taken out by 
the extractor ? The members thought that 
the eucalyptus honey was ripe even when 
gathered only for a day or two. Some members, 
however, maintained that when honey was not 
sealed it required to be exposed in the air for 
three or for days in a properly constructed 
cistern. The honey was thin at first, but after 
two days it became of the ordinary density. 
In cold climates it was necessary to heat the 
honey, but it was not needed in this climate. 
In respect to the time for putting on section- 
boxes some members would put them on at 
once if honey were coming in freely They 
would not take any frames out for extraction 
whilst the section-boxes were being fitted. 
It was strongly recommended that the 
members should try the reversible frames, 
which had the effect of forcing the bees to 
store in the section-boxes above. A member 
said he had tried to establish a frame with all 
the adhering bees in a nucleus hive, but after a 
couple of days they were attacked by dysen- 
tery, and he wanted to know the cause. The 
only solution arrived it seemed to be that 
the bees were too cold. Several minor 
questions were asked and replied to, and the 
meeting separated. 
The Honeycomb Comp any, Limited. 
This company has recently passed the ordeal of 
its first half-yearly meeting. It is an outcome of 
the “ Beekeepers’ Association of Victoria” that 
was formed in September, 1884, enrolling 67 
members, resident in almost all parts of the 
colony, and in Tasmania. The association, 
though now practically defunct, did good ser- 
vice by numerous meetings, and some lectures, 
and was well supported by the press. The 
Leader especially awakened, in fact, a wide- 
spread interest, and diffused valuable infor- 
mation. 
The merely abstract and theoretical, begin- 
ning as usual to lose its interest, a few 
gentleman determined to try the effect of a 
quasi-commercial experiment, and accordingly 
“floated” the company at a cost of £64 16s. 7d., 
all charges for first six months included, 
managing withal to store 92231b. honeycomb 
and 98641b. strained honey, each class of first 
quality ; some vendors having taken shares in 
part payment. 
The stock is being sold at prices that will 
yield a dividend to shareholders, but the ob- 
ject steadily pursued is the development of 
apiculture in Victoria and Tasmania, accord- 
ing to the best methods. The company is 
pledged to bring within the reach of all the 
latest appliances at prices which they can 
afford to pay. 
It is confidently anticipated that this course 
will enlist the sympathies of those who be- 
lieve in the importance of apiculture, and will 
also secure the confidence of apiarists, not 
only by catering for their wants, but by 
affording a ready market at fair prices for all 
they can raise. Attention is called to the 
company’s announcements in our advertising 
columns. 
ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS. 
Beekeeping. 
By W. Abram, Manager of the Italian 
Bee Comfany, Parramatta, N.S.W. 
Introduction. 
No insect is so interesting and so worthy of 
general attention as the Honey Bee. It’s 
unrivalled industry sets us an example which 
