Hello All
Sr Catherine put questions on the above subject.
I recently borrowed a copy of 'A Manual of Beekeeping' by E.B. Wedmore from
my local library and I show below some extracts which I trust are
appropriate and of assistance.
I heartily recommend this book. It is very well laid out and cross
referenced. I am working from the 1979 edition.
The name and address of the supplier of the book as shown on the back of the
book is:
Bee Books New and Old
Tapping Wall Farm
Burrowbridge
Nr Bridgewater
Somerset TA7 ORY
United Kingdom
Use of Old Combs.
342. It is commonly taught that with the successive raising of bees in the
same cell, the cell walls become thickened more and more by the deposit of
larval skins and cocoons, gradually reducing the diameter of the cell. On
the supposition that the cells must soon become too small, many good tough
combs are destroyed unnecessarily each year. The fact is, the bees limit the
reduction of diameter by stripping the walls, letting the deposit
accumulate, however, at the bottom of the cell as this is readily
compensated for by extending the cell mouth. In time, the mid-rib may thus
be thickened to 1/4" (6.25mm) or more and such combs are most excellent for
the winter cluster.
343. The author has examined and measured worker and drone combs in frames
which have been in use for 7 to 18 years without having received attention
other than that given by the bees, and has failed to find side walls
thickened by more than three thousandths of an inch, a negligible increase.
He has particulars of an apiary where no frames have been touched for 21
years and the bees produced are still of normal size. Drone cells have
somewhat thicker walls, but they also are not allowed to become too thick.
It is a great mistake to discard old combs on account of age.
nevertheless, old combs of doubtful origin should be replaced at convenience
as they may carry spores of foul brood disease.
It is much harder to work over an old comb than a recent one, hence,
although old combs are preferred for wintering, new comb is preferred for
rapid expansion of the brood nest.
344. Stored combs of dull appearance may be freshened by exposing them to
strong sunshine, or by passing the flame of an alcohol lamp over them for a
few moments in a warm oven. If mildewed they may be brushed with methylated
spirit. A strong colony will restore such combs without help, but at some
small cost.
Attention to Stock of Combs.
930. All spare brood and all super combs should be examined and graded
before they will be required, the worst being set aside for melting down,
others for repair and the rest for use, new ones being separated from old ones.
Old brood combs are quite suitable, however, for use in supers even for pale
honey. The bees have no liking for fouled honey and see to it that the combs
are suitably cleaned and conditioned. The bee-keeper, however, will find a
difficulty in judging the colour of honey stored in old combs. He will have
to sample it. It is also easier to ascertain the presence of pollen in combs
that have not been rendered opaque.
Sincerely
Tom Barrett
49 South Park
Foxrock
Dublin 18
Ireland
Hobbyist beekeeper
e mail [log in to unmask]
Tel + 353 1 289 5269
Fax + 353 1 289 9940
Latitude 53 Degrees 16' North
Longitude 6 Degrees 9' West of Greenwich
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