132 PLEASURABLE BEE-KEEPING. 



clean holes J inch in diameter. Four rather small 

 pins are driven in, two above and two below each 

 opening, each pair so close together that a fifth pin 

 can lie between the two pairs, exactly across the 

 centre of the hole, while its head cannot slip between 

 the other two. Instead of using two pins above the 

 hole I prefer a pin deprived of its head and driven in 

 somewhat like a bell-hanger's staple, to suspend the 

 centre pin running across the opening. Three or four 

 of these will be sufficient. The bees coming to the 

 light, press up the pin which crosses the hole ; it 

 freely rises, and gives the exit, while entry, as it falls 

 back into position, is effectually barred. 



Either of these methods can be used with supers 

 containing combs from which the honey is to be 

 drained or extracted; but sectional supers require 

 more care in removal, because the bees, after being 

 disturbed and before leaving the super, will perforate 

 the cappings of the cells in order to obtain honey, as 

 they invariably do, when disturbed. Sections or 

 other comb honey for exhibition would thus be spoilt. 

 A more satisfactory appliance for this purpose is the 

 Webster clearer, designed by Mr. W. B. Webster. It 

 also is a cone clearer, but the cones of wire cloth are 

 fixed beneath a board exactly underneath a hole 

 through which the bees must pass to get to the lower 

 compartments. The board is raised J inch by a ledge 

 running round on the under side. The clearer should 

 be placed under the super without in the least disturb- 

 ing the bees in their work, if possible, then they will 

 pass down through the cones leaving the cappings of 

 the combs in the super untouched. 



