122 
WAX. 
cannot see how our surplus honey can be less, as in 
this case there would be more bees at all times than 
in a hive that had been reduced by swarming. 
Does experience substantiate the theory that stocks 
with crooked combs are as profitable as when they 
are straight ? When combs are built expressly for 
breeding, I could never discover any difference. Any 
person can easily test it by a little observation ; not 
by taking a solitary instance of only one hive, be- 
cause some other cause might produce the result. 
Take a half-dozen at least with straight combs, and 
as many with them crooked ; have them all alike in 
other respects, and carefully watch the result. I think 
you will have but little interest which way the combs 
are made, providing they are made, as far as profit is 
concerned. It is true, it would gratify order to have 
them all straight, and if it was not attended with more 
trouble than the result would pay for, it would be 
well to have them so. 
In ordinary circumstances, when a swarm is first 
hived, they set about comb-making immediately ; yet 
sometimes they will remain two days, and not make a 
particle. I have known them to swarm out and cluster 
in the usual way, and when reliived, commence at once. 
This seems to prove that they can retain the wax, or 
prevent secreting it, till wanted. This seldom occurs. 
UNCERTAINTY IN WEICIIT OF BEES. 
A large swarm will probably carry with them some 
five ot six pounds of honey from the parent stock. 
I onlj guess at this, because I am uncertain what the 
