39 



right for home consumption. In preparing these frames for use, founda- 

 tion starters not much more than half an inch wide are put in, just enough 

 to give the bees a line to follow. When the comb is cut out of the frame, 

 at least half an inch of it is left adhering to the top bar so that the bees 

 may get to work at once. It would be worth while for every beekeeper in 

 a small way to try at least one of these shallow frame supers. In all like- 

 lihood the venture would not cost over a dollar. 



REMOVING EXTRACTING COMBS FROM THE HIVE. 



In one apiary of fifty colonies one inspector was lucky enough to be 

 present when extracting was under way so he secured a series of photo- 

 graphs illustrating the various stages as far as was possible. The pictures 

 almost speak for themselves. On looking over the set it will be noticed 

 that in addition to the ordinary tools the beekeeper has two others, con- 

 sisting of a whisk broom, generally known as a bee-brush, and a comb-box. 

 His aim is to get the combs transferred from the hive to the honey-house, 

 where he is to do the extracting, without taking any bees along. 



The bee-brush is simply an ordinary whisk broom, thinned down con- 

 siderably by cutting away about half of the fibre. Some men say that a 

 leather from the wing of a turkey is even better. 



The comb-box can be made of an ordinary hive by nailing a bottom of 

 light boards on it, and then adding a close fitting lid with hinges. 



We will now follow this beekeeper through the various steps in his work 

 at the hive. First he removes the cover, which is stood up against the side 

 of the hive. Then as is shown in Fig. 9 he peels up the quilt, blowing 

 smoke across the frames as he does so. Next he drives down the bees out 

 of the super, as is illustrated in Fig. 10. Perhaps a speedier and easier 

 way to get the bees out of the super is to apply a carbolised cotton cloth a 

 little larger than the surface of the hive. To prepare the cloth add a little 

 carbolic acid to a tea-cupful of water, enough to make it smell, then soak 

 the cloth in the mixture, next wringing it thoroughly, finally rolling it up 

 nicely. Now turn back the quilt from one of the sides, and at once place 

 the roll in position on the wood in such a way that it can be easily un- 

 rolled. Now turn back the quilt and unroll the carbolised cloth at the 

 same time. Bees simply detest carbolic acid, and every one reached by its 

 odor will hasten down into the lower chambers to get beyond the reach of 

 its influence. In some parts of Europe the carbolised cloth is used in pre- 

 ference to smoke for all hive manipulations as it will subdue even very 

 vicious bees. 



Fig. 11 shows a frame of honey being removed from the hive, while the 

 next photograph, Fig. 12, illustrates row the adhering bees are shaken off 

 the comb on to the entrance of the hive by a sudden jerk. The bee-brush 

 is next brought into requisition, and those that still cling to the surface 

 of the combs are got rid of by sweeping strokes. (Fig. 13). In the next 

 picture, Fig. 14, we see the cleared comb being put in the comb-box. When 

 this has been accomplished the lid will be turned over so that not a bee 

 can reach the combs. In the last figure of the series, Fig. 15, we see the 

 cappings of the comb being removed by an upward stroke of the knife. 

 The whole process of extracting is treated rather fully in Bulletin No. 30 

 so it is unnecessary to say more about it here. 



The carbolised cloth will be found specially useful in removing comb- 



