The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-01

dye, and the wax which covers and pro-
tects the fibre where IL has been spread
prevents any of the waXed parts from
taking up the color. The wax is then
washed off in hot water, the cloth dried,
and another pattern Of different color is
laid off on the undyed parts with fresh
wax. This manner OF dyeing is o gener-
al in the East that here is a tremendous
demand for wax at all times. and the
warehouses of India, Ceylon, Borneo and
the Philippines are. filled with huge
cheese-like cakes Of the bee product. The
wax is also exported in large quantities
to Europe for making candles.
The big bees build their hives on tall
forest trees. or on the oveFhanging lodges
of inaccessible cliffs. When undisturbed
branch swarms build near the parent col
ony, so that in few years an immense
bee settlement often grows up in the
forests. To discover one of these Is al
most certain fortune to a Filipino as il
means tons of wax and honey, for which
he can readily secure good price.
These bees build a comb five or six feet
long four feet wide. and from seven
Fights to one and a half Inches in thick
ness. The largest combs of our American
bees are not more than one-hfth this size,
and the wax and honey manufactured are
proportionateiy great.
In appearance the giant bee is a
smoky, glittenng, iridescent black, of
wasp-like figure, with orange bands cncir-
cling his body There have been reports
that this bee is most ferocious and on ac-
count of his great size is extremely dan
gerous, but Prof. Frank Benton, of
the department of agriculture, one of the
bee experts Of the world, has seen and
handled them in jungle haunts, and he
tells a different story. They are such busy
and persevering workers. according to Prof.
~ hot haN
lost dexterity with their singing appar-
atus and though they may light fun of
wrath and with evil intention upon human
hand or neck, they do not handle their Of
fensive weapons with skill, as II takes them
twenty or thirty seconds to get their sting
In working order They are quiet as COM
pared to our bees.
The manufacture Of wax by the bees Is
an interesting commercial problem. Bees
secrete wax by eating honey, and as 1t
takes about fifteen pounds of honey, worth
ten cents a pound, to make one pound or
wax, which will seldom bring more than
twenty-five cents pound. the bee raisers
do not encourage the manufacture of wax
by their swarms They even discourag e
this by purchasing what are called COMB
foundations. These are made by machines
of wax, and the bees use them TO begin
the making of combs, and thus many
pounds of honey which the bees would Sc
crete to make the wax of the hive Is saw
ed.
Petitions have been coming in to the
department. of agriculture for years ask
ing that the government introduce these
giant bees to the United States. Many
years ago the apiarlsts of this country
were called upon to do this on their own
account, and the prospect of having such
workers seemed so prorpising that several
individuals tried TO get the bees for them
selves by sending to the United States con-
suls in the East and asking that queen bees
of the desired race be obtained and for
Warded to them.