SUGGESTIONS TO HONEY-CONSUMERS. 417 



FURTHER ON FEEDING. 



At the close of the year, there are always honey 

 boxes that are but partially filled ; the honey being 

 mostly uncapped is unfit for market, and is not profit- 

 able for table use. Such boxes should be put away 

 in a dry place, and excluded from the air as much as 

 possible, until the opening of the following spring ; 

 at which time they should be distributed to such 

 hives as are most in need of food. The bees will 

 consume the honey and leave the combs to be refilled 

 when the honey season arrives. 



This is a safe and easy way of feeding, and less 

 likely to excite robbery than any other plan that can 

 be practiced. It also economizes in the item of combs. 



SUGGESTIONS TO HONEY-CONSUMERS. 



Honey, like butter, is frequently very untidily han- 

 dled. It is mainly owing to this cause that honey in 

 the comb is more sought for than that which is strained. 



Owing to the filthy habit of some people in smok- 

 ing and using it to drive the bees from the honey, the 

 latter is frequently so tainted with the fumes of tobac- 

 co as to be perceptible both to the scent and taste, 

 although the honey may be perfectly sealed within 

 the comb. 



In straining honey, it is frequently subjected to 



heat, whereby the pollen and the impurities of the 



old combs used a part of each season for rearing 



brood are set at liberty, and become incorporated 



17* 



OF TTTB 



