186 PRODUCTION OF EXTRACTED HONEY 



Use of Excluders. — There is a decided difference of opinion 

 among bee-keepers as to the value of excluders. Aside from the 

 above use, which is general at the beginning of the season to 

 start the queen to laying in the lower story, many bee-keepers are 

 of the opinion that there is little value in their use. Many are 

 decided in the conviction that the use of excluders through the 

 season results in a loss of honey. The author is of the opinion 

 that they should not be used more than is necessary, although 

 whether they actually result in smaller amount of honey being 

 stored above them is apparently incapable of proof. 



In comb honey production there is seldom if ever any occas- 

 ion that justifies the use of a queen excluder. Occasionally some 

 one will complain that the queen lays in the sections. This sel- 

 dom happens anyway, and is of very rare occurrence, where full 

 sheets of starter are used in the sections. The occurrence is so 

 infrequent that it will neither justify the expense of excluders 

 nor the inconvenience to the bees that their presence causes. 



Ventilation. — In cool weather the entrance will furnish suffi- 

 cient ventilation, but when the weather grows hot in midsummer 

 more must be provided for best results. It is an easy matter to 

 temporarily slip one hive body forward a half inch, the one above 

 back a half inch, thus providing ventilation in every story from 

 the bottom to the top of the hive. 'No rule can be laid down as 

 to how much should be given. It will depend upon the weather 

 and upon the honey flow. If plenty of honey is coming in so 

 that there is no danger from robbers, much ventilation will be 

 helpful in extremely hot weather. If no honey is coming in care 

 must be used that the openings are not longer than the bees can 

 guard safely. 



Entrances the full width of the hive and at least an inch in 

 depth are regarded as none too large for hot weather during the 

 honey flow. Some lift the hive up an inch from the bottom board, 

 and support it with blocks at the comers as described under 

 comb honey. 



The entrances should gradually be reduced as the season ad- 



