250 A Modern Bee-Farm 



a large current supply of partly-drawn combs ready for 

 the on-rushing accumulation of honey. 



The Super-Space should be Reduced 



towards the end of the season ; and this is done by gra- 

 dually removing completed sections, and finally closing 

 up with the dummy. The open spaces thus left above 

 the frames may be stopped by strips of wood or carpet. 

 This plan is preferable to adding further sections, and 

 the almost certainty of a great number being left in- 

 complete. 



An additional advantage is secured by this process of 

 contraction as the season is closing. The bees are com- 

 pelled to " crowd " on all the remaining comb space, and 

 it does not appear to be generally known that while under 

 this condition a far greater number of sections will 

 be completed b'y the bees using honey carried up 

 from the stock combs, even after gathering has actually 

 ceased. 



Remove Sections 



during the working hours of the day, when a few puffs 

 of smoke will generally send all the bees below. If this 

 fails take out the combs one at a time and brush the' 

 bees off with a feather, first giving the section a shake ; 

 but the operation must be rapidly carried out, because as 

 soon as once frightened they will commence to tear open 

 the beautifully-capped cells, and it will therefore be seen 

 that the sooner they are out the better. This, too, is one 

 of the most forcible arguments that can be used in 

 condemnation of the super clearers, for the bees once 

 frightened by the lifting of the super, will not hesitate to 

 break countless pin-holes in the beautiful cappings, more 

 particularly when separated from the queen. 



