49 



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Fig. 40. — HoDsoN Bee-escape Device. 



A word of caution to those who have not formerly used the escapes : 

 Should there be brood in the super combs the bees will not leave, and 

 the escapes will not prove effective in ridding the supers. Over and 

 over again many beginners complain that they cannot get the bees to 

 leave the supers when using escapes, but the reason lies in the fact that 

 no examination had been made to ascertain beforehand whether the 

 super contained honey only. 



Size of Honey-tanks. 



This is a matter most beekeepers wiU decide for themselves, but we 

 must stress the point of maturing or settling the honey properly before 

 firming. Large tanks are necessary for this purpose, but the depth is 

 governed by the kind of strainer used. In damp climates it is very 

 unsatisfactory to expose a large surface of the honey to the atmosphere, 

 as honey absorbs moisture readily, which wiU later cause it to ferment. 

 Honey-tanks are essential in an apiary of any size, and the best material 

 for their construction is tinned steel reinforced with boards ij in. thick. 

 Suitable round tanks, however, are made from the best grade of 

 galvanized iron. For an apiary of 100 colonies they should have a 

 capacity of about 2 tons. It is very important that the honey-gates 

 should be of large dimensions, and we recommend them about 3 in. in 

 diameter. 



Strainers. 



• 



It is not uncommon to find honey exposed for sale where proper 

 care and attention has not been paid to straining at the time of 

 extracting. Nothing deters the sale of extracted honey so much- as a 

 layer of wax-particles, dead bees, &c., and it is surprising how few 

 beekeepers take the necessary trouble to see their product reaches the 

 customer free from wax and other impurities. In no case should honey 

 be run direct from the extractor into the containers, but should be 



