13 



Sections and Extracting-frames. 



The raising of section honey by beginners is more difficult than the 

 production of extracted honey; yet it is usually advocated because it 

 saves the initial outlay for an extractor and its attendant necessities. 

 It is more difficult because the bees are loath to enter the small section 

 boxes, whereas when full or half frames are adopted the workers more 

 readily take to them. If the honey is not meant for sale it is suggested 

 that the ordinary frames be used, as the combs may be cut from the 

 frames and the liquid strained through cheese-cloth, or if it is preferred 

 in the comb it may be used in this way also. 



The most popular section box is 4jin. by 4jin. square, but these 

 are always purchased in the flat and are put together by the beekeeper. 

 There are three grooves made for folding purposes, which must be made 

 wet, or at least damp, before folding, otherwise they will break. A 

 saw-cut divides the top end of the section for the convenience of 

 fastening the foundation. An effective method of inducing the bees 

 to start work in sections is to place one or two " dummies " or " bait 

 sections " in each super. These are partially finished sections that have 

 been held over from the previous year, and generally produce the desired 

 result. 



All sections should be removed from the hives as soon as they are 

 filled, as they are less liable to be daubed with propolis or " travel- 

 stained " by the bees. To produce section honey most suitable for 

 marketing, separators between each frame are used. These are of tin 

 or very thin sheets of wood. In attaching the separators to the section 

 frames tack on one side only. 



Cost of a Beginner's Outfit. 



One hive in the fiat, with foundation, bee-smoker, and veil : Ap- 

 proximate price, £2 6s. 3d. 



Five up-to-date hives in the flat, all complete, with sufficient medium 

 brood-foundation (100 sheets), one bee-smoker, and veil : Approximate 

 price, ^8 5s. 3d. 



THE APIARY. 



Location of First Importance. 



Those entertaining the idea of estabUshing an apiary must first look 

 for a suitable location. The etiquette of the bee world prohibits 

 encroaching on another person's site — ^that is to say, do not place your 

 bees near anybody else's, especially if the other person has fuUy stocked 

 the district. Find some country rich in clovers and bee-forage, and 

 free from any restriction as above, and there secure a site and estabUsh 

 your plant. 



Perhaps there is no more important question for the beekeeper than 

 location. Upon his ability to select a suitable district in which to start 

 beekeeping wiU depend his future success. There are few districts in 

 the Dominion where bees cannot be kept in small numbers, but success- 

 ful estabUshment of a commercial apiary will largely depend upon the 

 beekeeper's knowledge of the nectar-secreting plants. It is generally 

 recognized that the main . nectar-flow in New Zealand is produced from 

 white clover and catsear, but it will be found to be a distinct advantage 

 if the apiary is established in a district near patches of native bush or 



