690 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Sept. 15. 



facts as they appear in the cut or photo refer- 

 red to, and all having the same conditions 

 from which this honey was produced, such as 

 starters of foundation, strength of colonies, 

 putting on and taking off, and a very discour- 

 aging season. The first row was produced 

 between our separators ; the second row be- 

 tween the Root slatted separators ; the third 

 row between the plain separators. 



In presenting this experiment by a photo, 

 to the readers of the bee-papers, I want it 

 distinctly understood that the selection was 

 made, as above stated from the different col- 

 onies; therefore we represent the three just 

 as they were produced ; and while there 

 appears such a sameness, there is one very 

 noticeable feature. The sections produced 



whatever with comb produced between the 

 Root slatted nor my separator, which has a 

 slot or slots from ■4' inch to ^ inch wide 

 through midway, this separator having short 

 cleats ^\ inch thick, with a saw-kerf at one 

 end, and the cleats are glued and slipped on 

 each side at the proper bearings, as shown. 

 However, I use full strips at each end in place 

 of the short cleats, as shown in the engraving, 

 thus giving a much stronger and better sep- 

 arator, and, being easily constructed, any 

 bee-keeper can make them. 



But after all, so far as I have observed there 

 is no separator that will excel the fence as 

 manufactured by The A. I. Root Co. If the 

 three-inch cleats or short cleats were beveled 

 back to the first opening between slats at each 



HONEY IN PEAIN SECTIONS VS. HONEY IN OED-STYEE SECTIONS. 



between the plain separators show up much 

 darker than either of the others. I should 

 like to hear the opinions of our experts as to 

 the cause of this difference, as all the bees 

 were the same kind — Italians. Yes, I have 

 my own idea as to the cause of so much differ- 

 ence in color, but I want to read the opinions 

 of our learned apiarists — yes, and a footnote 

 also, Mr. Editor; then I'll be honest in writ- 

 ing my opinion as to the reason above referred 

 to. 



There has been a good deal said about rib- 

 bed comb honey, as the result from slatted 

 separators. So far I have not found any 



end, it would give more good points than all 

 other separators put together, or that's the 

 way I look at it after this year's experience. 



Now, all know from my past experience 

 how I stand as to the plain sections. They 

 do not contain nearly as much propolis; they 

 are twice as easily cleaned; they present to 

 me, at least, a better view, and I can clean on 

 an average fifty to sixty sections per hour on 

 the belt section-cleaner, and do the work 

 nicely without the soiling of a single comb or 

 dusting the honey. They also sell first every 

 time — at least they do in our market ; they 

 are easily and quickly handled, and kept as 



