270 THE HONEY-BEE. 



frame then subjected to rapid rotation, which will 

 cause the liquid to fly out through centrifugal tend- 

 ency. Having cleared one side, the other must be 

 operated upon in the same manner, and then the 

 emptied combs should be put back into the hive, in 

 the same order as that in which they have been taken 

 out. In this way very large quantities of honey may 

 be obtained ; for the bees, having no fresh comb to 

 make, throw all their energies into repairing and 

 refilling the cells from which their stores have been 

 extracted. The liquid from the unsealed portions 

 of the comb is apt to be thin, and is then called 

 " unripe." It requires to have some of its water 

 evaporated, either by exposure to the air or to heat. 

 If this precaution is neglected, this dilute honey is 

 liable to ferment and turn sour. The bees never 

 seal any in the cells till it is of the proper consist- 

 ency for keeping. It is curious they should know 

 when it is in suitable condition for covering up from 

 the air. 



Marvellous accounts are received from time to time 

 of the quantities of honey obtained by bee-keepers 

 who make free use of the " extractor." Single hives 

 have been known to yield in one season over 80 Ibs. 

 in weight. The most satisfactory results are, pro- 

 bably, secured by a selection of one of the various 

 methods of honey-taking to which we have alluded. 

 The nature of the hive ; the strength of the stock ; 

 the prevention of swarming, or its permission ; the 

 supply of food required for the honeyless part of the 

 year, all have to be taken into consideration in 

 deciding upon the method of removing honey, and 

 the amount which shall be abstracted. 



