and its Economic Management. 139 



out the combs one at a time and brush the bees off with a 

 feather, first giving the section a shake ; but the operation 

 must be rapidly carried out, because as soon as once frightened 

 they will commence to tear open the beautifully capped cells, 

 and it will therefore be seen that the sooner they are out the 

 better. This too, is one of the most forcible arguments that 

 can be used in condemnation of the super clearers, for the bees 

 once frightened by the lifting of the super, will not hesitate to 

 break countless pin holes in the beautiful cappings, more par- 

 ticularly when separated from the queen.- 



Grading. 



When brought in-doors every comb must be looked over, 

 while at the same time all propolis or other stains are to be 

 scraped off from the wood, taking care not to injure the face 

 of the combs. All the whitest and best finished are to be 

 first selected and stored in crates piled one over the other, 

 with ventilation right through the whole tier. The next in 

 order are those which, while being well finished, are not of 

 such good colour. These are to be piled up fully exposed to 

 the light and air for a time, when the colour will be equal to 

 the first with which they may then be classed. If placed in 

 crates for bleaching, the latter must stand singly or on end, so 

 that the light may penetrate. A piece of strainer cloth or wire 

 netting should take the place of the usual lid meanwhile, that 

 there may be a free circulation of air. 



What will constitute the second grade will be all that are 

 not nicely finished, though there must not be too many incom- 

 plete cells. Those that are a little discolored can be restored 

 as before. Any that cannot come in as second-rate must have 

 their contents extracted and the combs stored for future use ; 

 first making sure that no moisture remains about them by 

 placing a number over any strong stock towards evening, 

 when the bees will soon clean them. 



