In a message dated 22/10/01 05:08:41 GMT Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Since a big chunk of the honey goes to comb production, there
 is obviously less left in the cells. >>

Bees at about the age of 10 days will produce wax anyway, whether they need
it or not.  You may as well give them something productive to do with it and
then harvest it as a valuable side product.  I have seen various figures for
the amount of honey used to produce wax, but 12 lb is very much on the high
side.  Under normal circumstances they will not be using honey for the
purpose anyway, but nectar.

Chris