86 TO EXTRACT HONEY FROM THE COMBS, 
not be used too freely, as it will perfectly stupefy the bees so that they 
will fall down as dead. After applying the smoke for a few moments, 
or I might say for one moment, turn the hive bottom up, and with 
the pruning tools cut out about one half of the combs down to the cross- 
sticks, or about half way of the hive, unless you find that the combs 
near the centre of the hive contain young brood; in that case, such 
may be left. The best time to perform this operation is in the spring 
of the year, say about the Ist of April. On the following spring, the 
other half may be taken, and by so doing the colony very much ben- 
efited. 
CHAPTER XULI. 
TO EXTRACT HONEY FROM THE COMBS. 
As the combs are taken from the hive, those portions containing 
honey free from brood and bee-bread, and fit for use in the combs, 
should be cut and separated from the other and kept by itself And 
such as have a mixture of honey, bee-bread and young brood, put in 
acullender or flannel bag, and put it in a tin pan, and set it in an oven 
(not sufficiently warm to melt the combs,) and let it remain there for 
an hour or two, occasionally changing the positions of the combs, so as 
to let the honey drain from both sides of the combs; they may then be 
slightly pressed ; if, however, there should be no brood in the combs, 
it will not injure the honey to press the combs as hard as one may 
choose. A little warm water may then be poured upon the combs, 
and again pressed, and the syrup thus obtained will answer very well 
to feed the bees; if it should be too thin, add a little brown sugar, or 
poor honey, and heat sufficient to scald and incorporate it thoroughly, 
and when cool remove the scum and it is fit for use. 
