ALEXANDER’S WRITINGS ON PRACTICAL BEE CULTURE 45 
In this way we find no trouble in extracting from 30 to 32 hives per 
hour, or on an average a hive of nine combs in a little less than every 
two minutes. We always hang up a watch on the extracting-building 
so we can tell at a glance just how fast we are getting along. Each 
one, as he removes his comb from the hive, cleans it of all adhering 
bees, by first giving it several quick shakes up and down, being very 
careful to throw out no honey. Then with a small brush, what few 
bees are left on the comb are quickly brushed off. You will notice that, 
hanging from my son’s right hip, is a small brush which we like the 
best for this purpose of any thing we have ever tried. You can also 
see the handle of a large pocket-knife by the brush, which is always 
open and ready for use. 
THE ALEXANDER HEAD-RIGS. 
I wish to call your attention to our head-rigs. They are made from 
a piece of common wire cloth, about 9x82 inches, with the ends lapped 
together at the back, and sewed. They have a piece of heavy sheeting 
in the back, which protects the back of the head, also our ears; then 
they have a piece of double cloth forming the top, and gathered at the 
center. They also have a little skirt about ten inches lond, which can 
be tucked inside the shirt or vest collar. With this on, so far as your 
head is concerned, you can bid defiance to all the bees in the apiary. 
Please make one of these head-rigs next season, for I am sure you will 
like it. They rest on your shoulders, and are very cool, seldom touch 
your face, and can be taken off and put on in an instant. 
THE ALEXANDER COMB-CARRIERS. 
They hold nine combs, the same as our hives, and are made of thin 
light pine except the ends, which are % stuff. They have an iron 
handle, and are very durable. When we commence to extract we take 
a set of empty combs in one of these carriers, and set it down behind 
the hive we commence on, then take off the outside cover, put it on top 
of the carrier of empty combs, then put an empty carrier on top of it. 
This will bring it about level with the top of the hive, and saves stoop- 
ing over in order to put the heavy combs in the carrier. Then when 
the hive is ready to receive its empty combs one man starts for the 
extractor with the heavy combs, while the other man puts the empty 
ones in the hive. In this way the hive is open only about 1% minutes, 
in taking out its full combs and putting in a set of those that have 
been extracted. 
NO SLAM-BANGS IN EXTRACTING. 
Now, don’t think there is any slam-bang about handling our bees, 
for there is not. We will not tolerate any thing of the kind. Any man 
who works for us must be careful about killing bees or jarring the hive 
any more than can be helped. 
QUEEN-EXCLUDERS. 
We use queen-excluders on all our hives when extracting, so we are 
not troubled with any brood in the upper hive; neither do we lose any 
