182 
SUMMER. 
APT TO BE DECEIVED ABOUT THE WORMS. 
But the worms, you can surely keep them out, you 
think, since you can seal up the boxes perfectly close, 
preventing the moth or even the smallest ant from en- 
tering! Yes, you may do this effectually, but the 
worms will often be there somehow, unless in a very 
low temperature, such as a very cool cellar, or ice house, 
and then you have dampness to guard against. I have 
a little experience in this matter that spoils your the- 
ory entirely. I have taken off glass jars, and watched 
them till the bees were all out, and was certain the moth 
did not come near them, then immediately sealed them 
up ; absolutely preventing access afterwards, (I could 
do this with a jar more effectually than a box which 
is made of several pieces,) I then felt quite sure that I 
was ahead, and should have no trouble with the worms, 
as had often been the case before. I was sadly mis- 
taken. 
THEIR PROGRESS DESCRIBED. 
In a few days, I could see at first a little white dust, 
like flour, on the side of the combs, and on the bottom 
of the jar. As the worms grew larger, this dust was 
coarser. By looking closely at the combs, a small 
white thread-like line was first perceptible, enlarging 
as the worm progressed. 
When combs are filled with honey, they go only on 
the surface, eating nothing but the sealing of the cells ; 
seldom penetrating to the centre, without an empty 
cell to give the chance. Disgusting as they seem to 
be, they dislike being daubed with honey. Wax, and 
not honey , is their food. 
