150 



THE PRVCTIOAL BEE GUIDE. 



271. Supering Skeps — Skeps with flat tops (78) may be 

 supplied witli crates. A "riser," or case (Fig. go), g" deep, 

 and large enough to hold a crate, is fitted with a false bottom 

 4J" from the top. A hole in the false bottom, corresponding 

 with the hole in the top of the skep, is covered with excluder 

 zinc. The riser is fastened to the skep by four nails; and a 

 deep roof permits the use of two tiered crates. 



272. Removing Supers — When the honey flow is over, and 

 the nights grow chill, the bees will begin to take down honey 

 from the supers to the brood frames. Therefore, supers should 

 be removed in good time, and it is better to remove them a 

 little too soon than a little too late. This is an operation which 



T. W. H. BANFIELD SUPERING A SEEP. 



requires some care, in order to avoid the risk of setting up 

 robbing (307), and of exasperating the bees. The point to be 

 aimed at is to take away the supers so skilfully as neither to 

 expose honey to the bees outside, nor to put too severe a strain 

 upon the patience of the bees within. 



273. Use of Cone Escapes. — On fine, warm days, the cone 

 escapes (Fig. gi) in the hive roof may be used, with some 

 success, to clear the supers of bees. Through a round hole 

 I J" in diameter, in the front gable of the roof, a cone escape 

 is passed from the inside, and tacked ; and a second cone is 



