134 ^ Modern Bee-Farm 



secured, when the honey will be more perfectly ripened, and 

 after a few days it can be drawn off and will be remarkably 

 clear, with the exception of two or three inches of the upper 

 surface, which may be again strained and placed with other 

 surface honey. I have found no harm resulting from honey 

 being stored in galvanized vessels, but where it may be 

 required to stay for a considerable time, tanks should be of 

 tin, though more expensive. 



The produce of an apiary varies considerably in colour 

 according to the plant it may be collected from, and each kind 

 must be extracted and stored separately, as the different 

 grades have varying values ; while one kind may granulate 

 more rapidly than another, and if all were mixed together 

 the entire mass would soon follow the action of the smaller 

 proportion. 



To prevent Granulation, 



it is recommended that honey be heated to 190 degs. Fahr., 

 and then corked up ; nevertheless some kinds will granulate 

 in spite of this. 



Crates 



for bottles should be made to hold either one or three dozen, 

 the latter being most useful, as being the extent of the more 

 frequent order. The divisions are best made of thin wood 

 crossing and halved together, to form square recesses to take 

 the bottles just tight. (See Fig. 40.) 



For tins little is needed except a plain strong box of the 

 right depth to take a 5 lb., two 3 lbs., or three 2 lbs. ; all of 

 which must be of the same diameter, a point too often over- 

 looked, but an advantage appreciated when packing a large 

 number, and being able to use one-sized crate for all. 



Extractors. 



The machine illustrated (Fig. 43) is of American make 

 (Stanley's Automatic), in which the comb baskets are shewn 



