SURPLUS HONBT- 153 



(Fig. 94), for super clearers, is not so liable to get blocked 

 as is the Porter escape. The bees pass through a tube which 

 is large enough to admit drones freely ; they then drop upon 

 a tin platform, and get down through a hole in the centre, under 

 the tube. In the illustration, the perforated zinc has been cut, 

 in order to disclose the tube. In use, the perforated zinc is on 

 top. The escape is made of timber idi" x 14}" x |". On 

 this a frame of li" x i" stuff is nailed above and below, pro- 

 jecting i" all round. Thus the escape measures 17^* x 15!'' 

 out to out. The hole in the pane! is 2" in diameter ; the tube 

 is 2" long and J" in diameter ; and the hole in the piece of tin 

 underneath is 1". A groove is cut in the panel to admit the 

 tube. A piece is cut from the upper side of the tube, where it 

 extends outside the perforated zinc, to give free access to the 

 bees. At one side of the panel, and i" from the inside edge of 

 the frame, a hole ij" x J" is cut through. When not required, 

 this hole is closed by a tin slide 3J" x 2", which is slipped 

 under the frame, and turned up outside; a slit is made in the 

 slide, and a nail driven through the frame and slit permits the 

 slide to move in and out, i.e., to cover the hole when supers are 

 being cleared, or to leave it free to the bees when the object is 

 to return combs for cleaning up purposes. 



275. Use Of the Super Clearer — Super clearers permit the 

 bees to pass down from the supers without having to leave the 

 warmth of the hive, and, therefore, they may be used by day 

 or night, and in all kinds of weather. Examine the clearer, 

 and see that the escape is in working order, and that the side 

 hole (274) is closed. Set the clearer beside the hive, right side 

 up : lift the supers ; set them on the clearer ; and put all back 

 on the frames, without removing the sheet and quilts. The 

 bees will pass down to the body box, and, next day, the supers 

 will, probably, be found emptied of bees, and may be removed, 

 little disturbance of the colony having been caused by the 

 operation (397). 



