STBAINING HONEY. 857 



OHAPTEE XXIV. 



STRAINING HONEY AND WAX. 



When about to remove the contents of a hive, I 

 have never found it necessary to use all the precau- 

 tions often recommended to prevent the access of bees. 

 I have seen it stated that a room in which there was a 

 chimney open, would be unsuitable, as the bees would 

 scent the honey, and thus find their way down into 

 the room. I never was thus troubled by their per- 

 pendicular travelling. It is true, if the day was warm, 

 and a door or window was standing open, the bees 

 would find their way in during a scarcity of honey. 

 But with doors and windows closed no difficulty need 

 be apprehended. 



METHODS OF REMOVING COMBS FROM THE HIVE. 



The most convenient way to remove combs from 

 the hive is to take off one of its sides, but this is apt 

 to split the boards, if it was properly nailed, and injure 

 it for.subsequent use. With tools such as have been 

 described, it may be done very nicely, and leave the 

 hive whole. The chisel should have the bevel all on 

 one side, like those used by carpenters. When you 

 commence, turn the flat side next the board of the 

 hive, and the bevel crowded by the combs will follow 

 it close the whole length ; with the other tool they 

 are cut across the top, and readily lifted out. If pre- 

 ferred, they may be cut across near the centre and 

 take out half a sheet at a time; this is sometimes 

 necessary on account of the cross-sticks. 



