HARVESTING. 443 



the combs are turned over by simply reversing the motion 

 of the gear. Tliia invention has not been sufBciently tried 

 to be proclaimed decidedly superior ; but it appears to have 

 some advantages, the main drawbacks being the greater cost 

 of the machine and its bulk. Similar extractors were intro- 

 duced into England, by Mr. Cowan, several years ago. 



778. The extractor is fastened on a high platform, so 

 that the honey pail can be put under the faucet. A barrel 

 is in readiness, with the large funnel and sieve over it. This 

 sieve should be large enough to take a pailful of honey, so 

 as to cause no delay. 



A mark is made on the barrel, with a crayon, or chalk, 

 as each pailful is poured in. In this way we know when the 

 barrel is full, without having to gauge it, and we avoid 

 having the honey run over and waste. 



779. We would advise beginners, who extract for the first 

 time, to go slowly and carefully. A little care, besides sav- 

 ing time, will save the waste of several pounds of honey, and 

 make things more comfortable ; for a pound of honey wasted 

 goes a great way towards making everything sticliy and 

 dirty. If a splendid crop and neat work are pleasurable, 

 a daubed honey-room and cross bees in the Apiary irritate 

 both the Apiarist and his assistants, who soon become sick 

 of the work. When things are rightly managed, the work 

 is so delightful that more help can be found than is needed. 



780. Of all manipulations, extracting is that which re- 

 quires the greatest precautions against robbing (664). 

 Carefully avoid all unnecessary exposure of comb or honey. 

 Robbers not only annoy the Apiarist, but they cause the 

 bees to get angry, and to sting. 



781. All the cases, when extracted, are piled up on the 

 oil-cloth carpet, till the day's work is done. The combs are 

 never put back into the hive before evening, at sun down ; 

 to prevent too much excitement in the Apiary. In half an 

 hour, every- hand helping, the whole number is distributed 



