THE PRODUCTION OF, HONEY 49 



and then if necessary divide the colonies again 

 later for increase.'"* Unite three or four lots jf 

 necessary to make a strong stock. 



The bee-keeper should make up his mind as to 

 what form he wishes his surplus honey to take, 

 for on that will depend the whole of his supering 

 arrangements. If he wishes to produce comb 

 honey he will require section racks and sections, 

 which must be fitted up in readiness. If he should 

 prefer combs for extracting he must equip himself 

 with the requisite number of supers fitted up with' 

 shallow frames. 



Each hive should be furnished with two supers, 

 and these will usually, be sufficient for all require- 

 ments. 



In the case of sections it' should be carefully 

 noted that they should always be used with sepa- 

 rators. These are thin slips of metal or wood, 

 which are placed between each row of sections. 

 Their object is to prevent the sections being built 

 out of shape and of varying thickness. Without 

 the use of separators it would be impossible to 

 obtain even approximately perfect sections. 



The super is placed on the hives at the first 

 indication of the honey, flow, and this may be 

 easily known by taking a glance at the brood-nest. 

 If the cells along the top bars are being ex- 

 tended, which will be known by the snowy white- 

 ness of the new comb, it is known that the bees 

 need further storage room, and it should be given 

 at once. In placing a super in position little skill 



D 



