Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 215 



iox ^ start do not be afraid of using a fresh knife. After uncapping, the 

 corahs are placed in the extractor baskets — the beginner will learn by 

 practice to regulate the pace when turning, so as to get the honey out without 

 •daraage to the combs. New combs should be turned slower than older ones. 



Often in the supers, combs will be found which contain patches of sealed 

 brood. These can be extracted, provided the cappirg on the brood has not 

 l)een interfered with, but any comb containing much larvae should be left in 

 the hive in the first instance. 



After the combs are extracted they should be inspected, and the best 

 breeding combs placed toward the centre of each super, for of late years 

 apiarists generally favour the principle of allowing the queen to have the 

 iull run of the hive. It is found that by so doing and by having good combs 

 in the supers, the queen will lay in some of the combs just after extraction, 

 and then, as the brood emerges, and if that room is desired for storing 

 purposes, the bees will force the queen down by filling the cells with honey. 



Replacing Supers after Extracting. 



After having covered the supers to prevent robbing, they are taken to 

 their respective hives. Remove the empty super from the colony and place 

 it alongside the entrance. It will probably contain a good number of bees. 

 Then put on the hive the extracted supers. 



The bees in the empty super can be carefully dumped near the entrance. 

 In the case where a few combs containing larvae are left in the super, the 

 apiarist can sufficiently dislodge the bees with a brush to allow the replacing 

 of the full complement of combs without dumping the super, apart from the 

 bees that adhere to the cover. 



Working with a System. 



Where a fair number of colonies are kept, the apiarist should have matters 

 regulated so that when one portion of the apiary is extracted the other 

 colonies have a fair supply of stores. Where out apiaries are worked, the 

 apiarist will be able to regulate his work so that each apiary will be ready 

 for extracting in the convenient order. To enable this to be carried out, 

 a good supply of prepared hives should be on hand. A practical apiarist 

 with a good knowledge of his locality, can at times remove practically all 

 the stores from the colonies at one time without a feeling of doubt, but such 

 type of management is better left in the hands of the very competent. 



Inspection During Extraction. 



When working under full pressure, the apiarist should make the best use 

 of his time during extracting to put in order any colony that requires 

 attention. A supply of frames containing foundation should always be on 

 hand, so that unfavourable combs can be replaced by them. Supers should be 

 13ut on any colony requiring extra accommodation, especially at out apiaiies 

 where swarming may not be noticed. In examination during extracting 

 time the apiarist will get a good idea as to the state of his colonies. 



