186 PRODUCTION OF EXTRACTED HONEY 
Use of Excluders.—There is a decided difference of opinion 
among bee-keepers as to the value of excluders. Aside from the 
above use, which is general at the beginning of the season to 
start the queen to laying in the lower story, many bee-keepers are 
of the opinion that there is little value in their use. Many are 
decided in the conviction that the use of excluders through the 
season results in a loss of honey. The author is of the opinion 
that they should not be used more than is necessary, although 
whether they actually result in smaller amount of honey being 
stored above them is apparently incapable of proof. 
Jn comb honey production there is seldom if ever any occas- 
ion that justifies the use of a queen excluder. Occasionally some 
one will complain that the queen lays in the sections. This sel- 
dom happens anyway, and is of very rare occurrence, where full 
sheets of starter are used in the sections. The occurrence is so 
infrequent that it will neither justify the expense of excluders 
nor the inconvenience to the bees that their presence causes. 
Ventilation In cool weather the entrance will furnish suffi- 
cient ventilation, but when the weather grows hot in midsummer 
more must be provided for best results. It is an easy matter to 
temporarily slip one hive body forward a half inch, the one above 
back a half inch, thus providing ventilation in every story from 
the bottom to the top of the hive. No rule can be laid down as 
to how much should be given. It will depend upon the weather 
and upon the honey flow. If plenty of honey is coming in so 
that there is no danger from robbers, much ventilation will be 
helpful in extremely hot weather. If no honey is coming in care 
must be used that the openings are not longer than the bees can 
guard safely. 
Entrances the full width of the hive and at least an inch in 
depth are regarded as none too large for hot weather during the 
honey flow. Some lift the hive up an inch from the bottom board, 
and support it with blocks at the corners as described under 
comb honey. 
The entrances should gradually be reduced as the season ad- 
