214 Agricultural Gazette of X.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920.. 



Of course, when working on extensive lines the plant may be enlarged' 

 and added to. For instance, a Beuline cappings reducer or a Gene reducer 

 may be used ; also larger honey tanks, a four or six frame extractor, and,. 

 if desired, a honey heater (iised for the purpose of saving time — the honey, 

 being artificially ripened, can be tinned off a few hours after extraction). . 

 All combs selected for extracting should be well sealed, for honey is not- 

 properly ripened until the bees have sealed it up in the combs. Inland,, 

 where the honey is dense, the apiarist can extract when the combs are about 

 three parts sealed; but the beginner, especially in coastal districts, where 

 the climate is damp, shoidd have the honey well ripened by the bees, 

 themselves. 



Removing Surplus Honey from the Hive. 



AVhen about to remove the combs, the apiarist should have a number of 

 super bodies that are interchangeable with the supers on the hives. As the 

 frames are removed from the supers, shake the bees near the entrance and^ 

 brush the remainder from the combs. There should be some convenience 

 bv which the young bees can crawl from the ground to the entrance. Some 

 apiarists j^refer to remove the supers in the first instance, and place over the 

 brood nest an empty super, in which the bees are brushed from the combs 

 Combs when being brushed or shaken shoiild not be held too high from the 

 ground or super. 



In cases where several supers have been removed, an empty super shoidd 

 be put on the hive to allow accommodation for the bees. When sufficient 

 supers containing combs to make up a load for the barrow or cart h; ve been 

 removed they can be taken to the extracting house. A number of colonies 

 can be relieved of their stores before starting operations in the extracting; 

 room, if desired. 



There are dozens of methods used in removing bees from the combs ; for 

 instance, in using the Bolton hive some prefer to. remove the bees b}'" 

 dum})ing the super containing the frames on the ground. Others use a bee- 

 escape board which is left on overnight. The bees get down below the 

 supers and are thus prevented from getting back. When using a bee-escape,, 

 care should be taken to see that no brood is left in the supers above ; other- 

 wise 't will be chilled. 



Many prefer to have supers containing empty combs ready to put on the 

 hive immediately the full ones are removed. This is a good method and 

 very convenient, providing the apiarist is siu'e of freedom from brood 

 disease ; but the beginner should not practise interchanging combs when 

 extracting. 



Work in the Extracting Room. 



Hot water must first be ]>oured into the reducer, the lamp (or primus 

 stove) started, and the uncapping knixes (which should be fairly sharp) put 

 in their place in the reducer. Place the frame to be uncajiped " end on " 

 and resting on the board which is across the reducer. In using the knife 

 work carefully ; do not proceed with a cut when a comb begins to tear, and 



