and its Economic Management. 251 



Grading and Bleachins:. 



When brought in-doors every comb must be looked 

 over, while at the same time all propolis or other stains 

 are to be scraped off from the wood, taking care not to 

 injure the face of the combs. All the whitest and best 

 finished are to be first selected and stored in crates piled 

 one over the other, with ventilation right through the 

 whole tier. 



The next in order are those which, while being well 

 finished, are not of such good colour. These are to be 

 piled up fully exposed to the light and air for a time, when 

 the colour will be equal to the first with which they may then 

 be classed. If placed in crates for bleaching, the latter must 

 stand singly or on end, so that the light may penetrate. 

 A piece of straining cloth or wire netting should take the 

 place of the usual lid meanwhile, that there may be a free 

 circulation of air. 



This question of bleaching comb-honey was first given 

 to the bee-keeping world in my pamphlet of 1886, and 

 in recent years the subject has received more attention, 

 especially among American bee-keepers, some of whom 

 think sulphur should be used ; but this is not necessary 

 unless there is any fear of wax-moths developing. Light 

 and air quickly alter the appearance of comb-honey, giving 

 it the shade of comb rapidly filled with sugar syrup. 



From my Non-Swarming pamphlet, page 16, we find 

 this about improving sections of honey : — " The appear- 

 " ance of comb-honey is immensely improved after re- 

 " moval from the hive by being exposed to the air, and a 

 " woven-wire screen should be arranged for that purpose 

 " in some light dry room, free from dust. I need hardly 

 " state that no honey should be placed in the direct rays 

 " of the sun." 



Those constituting the second grade will be all that 



