go PROFITABLE BEE-KEEPING 
although for my own part I much prefer a good 
honey of a medium colour. However, the fact 
remains that light honey is synonymous with high 
prices, and in this respect there is no dark honey, 
that can compete with it save and except the 
incomparable heather honey of the Scottish moors. 
This grading of honey must be done very care- 
fully, for a very little dark honey will spoil the 
colour and bring: down the price of a large quan- 
tity. of light. The combs should be tested in a 
good light. After grading the extracting must 
be proceeded with, and for this purpose an ex- 
~tractor will be required, and also a few other 
necessary, articles. The honey extractor consists 
of a metal cylinder, within which reyolve two 
-or more cages fixed to a vertical central shaft. 
The honey is extracted by uncapping and placing 
combs in the cages, which are then caused to, 
rotate swiftly, by means of a handle at the top 
or side, which handle in most cases is fitted with 
chain or. cog gearing. The honey is thrown out 
by. centrifugal force against the sides of the 
cylinder, and runs to the bottom, whence it is 
drawn off by means of a honey valve. All ex- 
tractors work on this principle, and the machines 
run in different sizes, taking either two or four 
combs as a rule to each filling. ‘As to which 
size is necessary, depends on the amount of work 
which has to be performed and the price which the 
buyer wishes to pay, which may, be anywhere 
from fifteen to fifty, shillings. 
