153 rilE PRACTICAL BRE GUIDE. 



slipped over the handle. The operator then stands out from 

 the extractor (as illustrated) ; gets the cord at right angles 

 with the handle-crank ; gives a slight pull at the cord with one 

 finger, thus revolving the cages, and assisting each revolution 

 by another slight pull. With a few minutes' practice one can 

 extract honey in this way with little exertion. Sections that 

 are not completely filled, or that are otherwise unfit for the 

 market, may have their honey extracted in the same way, six 

 sections being placed in each cage. All cappings may have 

 the adhering honey pressed out, and may then be rendered into 

 wax (279). Heather honey requires special treatment, and can 

 be thoroughly separated from the comb only by means of the 

 honey press (137). A piece of clean cheese cloth, large enough 

 to fold down to the bottom, is placed over the top of the press. 

 The combs are placed in the press vertically, as they hung in 

 the hive; the cheese cloth is folded over them; the plunger is 

 then brought over, and the screw is revolved. The honey falls 

 to the drawer beneath, and the wax is lifted out in the cloth. 

 (See also 400-40'2.) 



277. Straining and Ripening. — Extracted honey may be 

 strained from the extractor into a ripener (136), and should be 

 left, for a few days, covered, in some place with a high tem- 

 perature, after which the honey may be bottled for market 

 (306), the thin honey on the top being used for bee food only. 



278. Cleaning Extracted Combs. — I'rames and sections, 

 having had their honey extracted, may be given to the bees 

 to clean up before being stored away for use in the next 

 season. Place a super clearer (274) on the frames of a strong 

 stock ; and, in the evening, when the bees have ceased flying, 

 draw open the side trap; set the frames and sections on the 

 clearer ; and cover up, safe from marauding bees. The bees of 

 the colony will come up through the side trap, and carry down 

 all the honey, leaving the combs clean and dry. The side 

 trap may then be closed, when, the bees above the clearer will 

 pass down through the trap in the centre, and will not be able 

 to return. The same object can be attained by giving the 

 combs behind the dummy, leaving a bee space between the 

 dummy and the floor board; or behind the "Federation" 

 dummy (95), with excluder zinc attachment. Frames and 

 sections, when cleaned, should be removed, wrapped carefully 

 in clean paper, and stored away in some dry place, safe from 

 mice, flies, and other adventurers (371). It is a good plan to 

 keep over, for the following season, a few unfinished sections, 

 having a little honey in them, for use as "bait sections" in 

 the first crates ; thus coaxing the bees to take to those crates, 



and to begin work at once. (266). 



