PRACTICAL BEE-KEEPING. 



CHAPTEE IX. 



SuPERiNG, Extracting, and Harvesting. 



STEAW AND GLASS SUPEES JACKETS — FIXING- COMBS BAR 



SUPERS GUIDES FOE DITTO COWAN's BOXES ZINC ADAPTEE 



DIVISIONAL SUPEES HIVES WHICH YIELD MOST SUPEE 



HONEY CAUTION IN EEMOVING SUPERS TAKING OFF SUPERS 



CLEARING OF BEES CHESHIRE PIN TRAP EXTEACTOE 



ITALIAN EXTEACTOE DOUBLE-STOEIED HIVE EUNNING 



AND ASSORTING HONEY, 



Comb in the body of the hive is always liable to be visited by the queen 

 and spoiled for table use by the deposition of eggs ; and even if this be not 

 the case, the close contact of nursery work, the continual tramp of the 

 busy throng, and the deposit of pollen tends to render it less valuable, 

 than that in supers, which to be perfect must be built quickly 

 and filled with the nectar of flowers alone. It is wise not to super 

 until the bees are ready to take possession ; the hive must be 

 fuU, and honey coming in. The cottager's straw cap placed over the feed 

 hole in the crown of the skep, usually receives but little attention, but 

 better results would be obtained if all openings between super and hive 

 were closed by some luting to prevent the escape of heated air, and the 

 whole covered well to save from ohiU at night and excessive heat 

 by day (see page 8). Glass supers should have fixed from their 

 roof, pieces of new drone comb, as bees cannot walk up their 

 sides, and unless so assisted, build their wax works upwards, which 

 is to them an unnatural, and, unfortunately for the careless, a slow 

 process. The drone comb is thus attached : Warm the glass slowly 

 and evenly, either before a fire or over a flame, and then gently 

 rub the piece agaiust the glass where it is to remain, taking care 

 that it is right way up, i.e. that the cells slope upwards. The bees will 

 quickly form a chain between our guide comb and the hive top, by linking 

 themselves together, and upon this living ladder the laden wax workers 

 will ascend to build and store. New drone comb may often be cut out 

 from hives, where it is a damage, and utilized as indicated, saving time and 

 honey. The reason for giving Arone comb for store is already explained 



