THE HOKEY EXTRACTOR AKD ITS USE. lo9 



merit. Those who are familiar with its history will 

 remember that the first curved-pointed honey knives 

 that appeared in market, bore the stamp ol "Quinby. 

 and Eoot." 



SE0UBI2frG EXTKA COMBS OF HONEY. 



Extracting as well as boxing should not be carried on 

 too late in the season. The honey gathered in the fall, is 

 generally of inferior quality. When less honey was pro- 

 duced, and the price was good, the poorer qualities would 

 sell at fair rates ; but, now, that the production is increas- 

 ed, it must be of superior quality and offered in an attract- 

 ive shape to command fair returns. I mention this to 

 show that the later and poorer qualties of honey may be 

 secured in suitable shape, and be of more value to the 

 bee-keeper in the care of his bees, than if sold at reduced 

 prices. To this end, then, cease extracting sufficiently 

 early, and supply hives that are boxed, with empty combs, 

 after boxes are filled with white honey. These extra 

 combs, when filled with the inferior grades of honey, 

 may be placed in a dry, cool place, and preserved for the 

 following season's use. They will be found valuable in 

 many operations, especially as suggested in the Chapter 

 on Feeding, 



SECTJKING GUIDE COMBS. 



I often wonder where we formerly obtained guide- 

 combs for our boxes in sufficient quantity, and of suita- 

 ;ble quality, without the use of the extractor. I have 

 practised placing two empty frames in each hive, one at 

 each side of the brood-nest, and find that they willbe 

 filled each week.* When extracting, I remove these 

 combs, and supply their place with empty frames. After 



* I am satiBfied that the young bees secrete wax, and build combs at times 

 when they would otherwise be idle, maJdng this a very economical method ot 

 securing guides. 



