EXTRACTED HONEY 53 



bottom, to drain the tank as a certain amount of "drip" 

 accumulates. It is better to have the drip in the tank 

 than a sticky mess on the honey-house floor. 



ROBBER-CLOTH. 

 To prevent imnecessary exposure of the combs, the 

 top of the tank should be covered with a robbor-cloth. 

 This is easily made, and saves considerable inconvenience. 

 Procure sufficient unbleached calico to cover top of the 

 tank and to hang 5 or 6 inches over the sides ; hand this 

 over to the womenfolk to turn a hem all round. On two 

 sides a smaller hem will do; on the other ends the turns 

 should be sufficiently large to allow two sticks to be 

 pushed through. Pour about ^A of a lb. of shot into each 

 of the narrow hems and the cloth is complete. Made 

 according to the above directions, the cloth will hang over 

 the tank very neatly even in a strong breeze, and prevent 

 the bees getting a taste of forbidden sweets. The careful 

 apiarist should regard all honey after removal from the 

 hive as contraband. (See Box-hives, page 22, Robbers, 

 page 135, and Bee Diseases, page 153). 



WHEEL BARROW. 

 The structure of the barrow in the illustration is 

 apparent. Many prefer the flat tray style. It carries the 

 barrow tank whilst extracting; with a load of -1 tins it 

 is easily wheeled, and will also carry 2 to 4 hives of bees 

 when packed for travel. No other style of barrow is so 

 adaptable to the needs of a bee-farm. With the smoker, 

 hive tool, and brush conveniently to hand, the hive should 

 be opened as already directed. 



SHAKING BEES OFF COMBS. 

 Select combs, capped sufficiently, and hold them with 

 the palms of the hands on the side bars just below the 

 lugs, the thumbs being passed over the top bar; this gives 

 a very secure hold. Raise the frame 9 or 10 inches above 

 the hive, and with a short sharp jerk downwards dislodge 

 the bees into the super. Italians are harder to shake 



