APPLIANCES. 



39 



Super-clearer. 



66. Super-clearer. — This appliance is one of the most 

 important helps to the bee-keeper, and it should have a place in 

 every well-ordered apairy. Owing to 

 its introduction the taking of surplus 

 honey is no longer attended with 

 fear of punishment from the bees. 

 When it is desired to remove a super, 

 the "clearer" is quietly slipped under- 

 neath it, and allowed to remain in 

 this position for from six to twelve 

 hours ; at the expiration of this time 

 the super will be found quite clear of 

 bees, and thus can be removed without the remotest chance of 

 the manipulator getting a sting. A very popular super-clearer is 

 that fitted with the " Porter " pattern spring bee-escape, ^which 

 costs 8d. ; whilst another good super-clearer is known as the 

 " R. H. Smith," the escape costing is. The boards when fitted 



cost 2s. each complete, and a good 

 idea of one can be obtained from the 

 illustration of a super-clearer sold 

 by Mr. W. P. Meadows, of Syston, 

 near Leicester, which contains the 

 " Porter " pattern bee-escape (the 

 latter also sold by Mr. E. H. Taylor, 

 of Welwyn, Herts), and has also a 

 slide to allow the bees to have access 

 to the empty combs, so that they may clean them out. The super- 

 clearer should not be left on the hive longer than is necessary, or 

 the bees will seal the wires of the escape with wax and propolis. 



67. Travelling Cages, — Bee-keeping, at the present time, 

 has assumed such extensive proportions, that whereas, some years 

 ago, no one thought of sending bees any distance by rail or other- 

 wise, now they are sent hundreds and even thousands of miles. 

 Hives of bees have 



been sent to Aus- 

 tralia, India — in fact, 

 all over the habit- 

 able globe. We will 

 give a description 

 of the cage used 

 for queens. An 

 oblong block of 

 soft wood 3iin. by 

 liin. by |in. is pro- 

 cured; into this are 



Cored, almost through, two holes with a lin. centre-bit, at 

 the extremity two smaller ones are made contiguous to each 



"Porter" Pattern 

 Bee-escape. 



Travelling Box for Queen, 



