STKAINING HONEY AND WAX, 279 



CHAPTER XXII. 



STRAINING HONEY AND WAX. 



REMOvnsra combs. 



The combs of the movable frame hive are so easily lifted 

 out, and removed from the frames, and the bees shaken 

 off, that it is quite unnecessary to give explicit directions 

 for removing the honey from such, for straining. 



The most convenient method of removing combs from 

 the box hive is by taking off one of its sides, but if it is 

 properly nailed, this is apt to split the boards, and injure 

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

 scribed in Chap, xni, it may be done very nicely without 

 injury to the hive. The chisel should have the bevel on 

 one side, like those used by carpenters. The .flat side is 

 placed next the board of the hive and the bevel, crowded 

 by the combs, will follow it close the whole length ; with 

 the other tool the combs are cut across the top, and read- 

 ily lifted out. If preferred, they may be cut across near 

 the centre, and half a sheet taken out at a time ; this is 

 sometimes necessaiy on account of the cross-sticks. 



Such combs as are taken from the middle, or the vicinity 

 of brood-cells are generally unfit for the table, and should 

 be strained. 



METHOD OF STBAINING. 



There are several methods of performing this operation. 

 One is, to mash the comb and put it in a bag, and hang it 

 over some vessel to catch the honey as it drains out. This 

 will do very well for small quantities in warm weather, or 

 in the fall before any of it is candied. Another method is 

 f o put such combs in a colander, and set this over a pan in 

 a moderately hot oven. This will melt the combs, and the 



