it is good apiary practice to return the extracted combs to the 
bees in order that they may be cleaned of adhering honey before 
storage for winter. It is never advisable to put out such “wet” 
combs and allow the bees to help themselves, as this may result 
in some colony or colonies being robbed out and will nearly always 
result in damage to combs. The wet combs should be returned to 
the colonies in the evening just before dark. The excitement occa- 
sioned by the presence of these wet combs will have subsided by 
morning and no damage will be done. 
Preparing Extracted Honey for Market 
Extracted honey may be drawn from the settling tank into the 
retail packages or into the square 5-gallon can (Fig. 33) which is 
the common wholesale package. 
Fig. 33. Wholesale extracted honey package—two 5-gallon cans cased (Rwot). 
Granulation—Practically all extracted honey will granulate sooner 
or later. Some persons prefer it in this form. Some do not so 
prefer it and suspect that something is wrong with honey when 
it granulates. The person who prepares honey for retail trade 
should do everything possible to prevent its being suspected . of 
being adulterated. When retailed in pound jars (Fig. 34) or con- 
tainers of less capacity the honey should be kept liquid. When sold 
in five and ten-pound pails it may be allowed to granulate and lique- 
fying directions for those who prefer it liquid put on the con- 
tainer. (Figs. 35 & 36). 
If honey is heated to 160°F. and the container sealed while 
hot, granulation will be very much retarded, if not entirely pre- 
vented. When heated above 160°F. the color and flavor may be 
changed in an undesirable manner. Honey heats through very slowly. 
For this reason a water bath is the safest method of heating it so 
far as overheating is concerned. If retail packages are filled from the 
settling tank they may be heated in this manner before sealing. 
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