SOUTHERN BEE CULTURE 63 



tracted; but a good bee-veil and bee-smoker are as necessary in any kind of 

 bee-keeping as a hammer and saw are in carpentry. 



We will first describe the honey-extractors and the advantage of their 

 use in the apiary. By .the use of the extractor the apiarist can, to a great 

 extent, control the swarming of his bees by extracting the honey from the 

 comb and setting it back in the hive for the bees to refill and thereby save 

 over one-third more honey each year. If it is desired to operate an apiary 

 for extracted honey it would depend on the size of it as to what size of 

 extractor to buy for it. It if is not to consist of more than 25 or 30 colonies 

 the No. 5, or Novice extractor would be large enough. If the apiary were 

 to consist of 40, 50, or 75 colonies. No. 15, or the rapid honey-extractor would 

 be best, because mote honey could be extracted in the same length of time. 

 If several 'out-apiaries were operated for extracted honey, a still larger size 

 of extractor would be necessary— No. 25 or improved extractor — in order 

 to extract the honey rapidly should the bees be crowded or need empty combs. 



If the apiary is small, and there is not much honey to extract, erect at a 

 convenient place in the honey-house a small platform about 2x3 feet, and 

 high enough from the floor so that a bucket will go under the honey-gate of 

 the extractor in which the honey is to be drawn. Anchor the extractor on this 

 platform so that the honey-gate will be on one side and the anchors run out 

 toward the ends or three-foot way. Now anchor it down to the platform well 

 so it will not rock about when frames of honey of uneven weight are being 

 extracted. If the apiary is large, and much honey is expected to be extracted, 

 arrange the platform as conveniently to the door or small gate through which 

 the h6ney is passed as possible, and at the same time have it as convenient to 

 the uncappers as possible, so that the handling of honey will not be any more 

 laborious than possible. 



UNCAPPING-VESSELS. 



Uncapping-vessels of some kind should be fixed up to 'receive the cap- 

 pings* as they are cut itom the comb, and also the honey which may be re- 

 moved with them. If it is not desired to buy a tank made for the purpose a 

 cheap one can be made out of a tub, barrel, or box having a wire-gauze 

 strainer somewhere sufficiently attached to it to catch the cappings and let 

 them drain and also have a bottom to catch the honey; and whatever is 

 bought or constructed to catch cappings should be large enough so at least 

 two can work at it at a time. 



COMB-BUCKETS. 



Nothing is more convenient than comb-buckets in which the frames of 

 honey can be set as they are removed from the hives; and when filled the 

 lids can be fastened down and the honey in them will be unmolested by rob- 

 bers, and easily carried into the honey-house. 



HONEY-KNIVES. 



Honey-knives are indispensable for uncapping honey, for no other knives 

 can be used successfully for that purpose. The honey-extractor throws the 

 honey out of the comb by revolving, and it is very necessary that all the 



