8 INTBODUCTION. 



Berlepsch in Germany, belongs the credit for this 

 remarkable invention, which proved the beginning of 

 a new era in bee-keeping. 



Bee-culture was henceforth a subject of absorbing 

 interest, and, apart from the pecuniary benefit that 

 followed its introduction, the invention has doubtless 

 had the greatest possible influence on the develop- 

 ment of the science as well as the art of Bee- 

 keeping. Movable combs render the , modification of 

 the brood-nest possible to suit varying circumstapces, 

 and though in the hands of the novice, who pulls his 

 stocks to pieces to satisfy his curiosity, they are no 

 boon, to the great majority of bee-keepers they have 

 bedn of immense advantage. 



By the invention of the smoker, of which there 

 are various forms, due to the inventive genius of 

 American bee-keepers, another step was taken to- 

 wards bringing bees under that complete control 

 without which the bee-keeper could hardly be styled 

 " a bee-master.'' 



Step by step advances were made in designing and 

 improving appliances, by means of which the bee- 

 keeper is enabled to reap the large harvests so often 

 recorded, until there now appears little room for 

 further exercise of the inventive faculty. The 

 "Little Wonder" extractor, invented by the late 

 C. N. Abbott, was, in its day, considered a marvellous 

 machine, in that the combs were emptied of their 

 contents by centrifugal force, in order to be returned 

 to the hives for refilling. A cylinder extractor next 

 came into favour, and, though many excellent 

 machines are now produced, the " Cowan," as im- 



