THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES. , 261 
Localities in which the flora yields only a more or less dark grade of 
honey are not suitable for the production of comb honey, since the ap- 
pearance of comb honey is an important factor in its profitable market- 
ing. Pound for pound the best grade of comb honey js worth about 
five cents more than the best grade of extracted. It shuld be borne in 
mind, however, that the yield per colony of comb honey is less than the 
yield of extracted honey. The demands of the avaijable market will, 
however, be an important factor in determining the kind of product. 
The important thing to know, however, is that any locality that will 
yield nectar at all is adapted to extracted honey production, while the 
profitable production of comb honey requires peculiar conditions and 
unless these are present it certainly will not be wise to attempt it. 
Comb honey is produced and marketed in small wooden frames 
known as sections. The sections which are in use vary somewhat as to 
dimensions, but all approximate more or less closely a pound in weight 
when filled. Sections are arranged in rows in the super and fit very 
closely in order not to leave open space for the depositing of propolis. 
The rows of sections are separated by a wooden slat or separator of 
which there are several kinds in use. The bees are enabled to pass 
from the brood chamber to the sections by one of two methods. Either 
the edges of the section are cut away to provide space between it and 
the separator, or the separator may have cleats attached, which coin- 
Fig. 24.—Zinc excluder. 
cide with the edge of the section. In addition the separator may be 
made up of separate slats much after the manner of a board fence, 
allowing passage for the bees from section to section. 
Either narrow strips or full sheets of foundation may be used in the 
sections. Sections should be folded, foundation put in, and supers ar- 
ranged with sections in advance of the season in order that there may, 
‘be no delay in getting the surplus receptacles on the hives when the. 
rush of the honey flow comes on. Perhaps the largest amount of comb 
honey produced in Maryland comes from the white clover flow which 
