BEE-KEEPING IN WAR-TIME 17 



to which the bees are allowed access to suck the food is 

 regulated by turning the index finger to the number on the 

 stage ; these numbers range from one to nine, and whichever 

 number the finger is set to allows that number of holes to 

 be exposed through a slot in the metal work of the stage. 

 The food must be given in the evening and about new-milk 

 warm. 



As already indicated a swarm does not, as a rule, do more 

 than establish itself and store sufficient food for the winter, 

 though at times they not only do this, but give a good surplus 

 as well. 



The second season, if all goes well, the stock will reach 

 fuU strength about the beginning of May ; if more room is not 

 provided at that period the bees will swarm as already ex- 

 plained. 



The method of present-day bee-keeping is to prevent this 

 by giving room in advance of requirements ; this is carried out 

 by means of the supers. These are of two kinds: section 

 racks for the production of comb honey and shallow frame 

 boxes for extracted honey. Section racks consist of a wooden 

 frame, just the size of the brood chamber, 4J inches deep,wlth 

 a slatted bottom to hold the sections in position. Sections 

 are purchased in the flat, and can be folded into a square 

 measuring 4^ by 4^ inches, being held in position by lock 

 joints at one corner. A groove in the top provides the means 

 of fastening the foundation, which in this case is very thin 

 and transparent, for, as the honey and wax is all consumed 

 by the purchaser, it would be rather disagreeable if there 

 were a thick mid-rib to come in contact with the teeth. 



The sections are placed in seven rows of three upon the 

 slats in the rack ; each section has a small piece removed from 

 either edge top and bottom to allow the bees to pass in at 

 the bottom, and also when other racks are placed in position 

 to pass out at the top into them. Between each row of 

 sections is placed a metal divider, to prevent the bees extend- 

 ing the comb beyond the wood- work of the section; if they 

 did this it would be difficult to make the section into a saleable 

 package. Each section when filled with honey and sealed 

 over contains approximately one pound, and they are sold in 

 normal times for one shilling each. 



To prevent the queen from entering the sections, depositing 

 eggs, and spoiling them with brood, a perforated metal sheet, 

 called a queen excluder, because the perforations will allow 



