and its Economic Management. 107 



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, remove 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. 



Grading. 



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, 

 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 strainer cloth or wire netting must 

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

 circulation of air. 



What will constitute the second grade will be all that are not 

 nicely finished, though there must not be too many incomplete 

 cells. Those that are a little discolored can be restored as before. 

 Any that cannot come in as second-rate must have their contents 

 extracted and the combs stored for future use ; first making sure 

 that no moisture remains about them by placing a number over 

 any strong stock towards evening, when the bees will soon clean 

 them. 



The Store Room 



should be perfectly dry, thoroughly ventilated, having a concrete 

 floor, and all so carefully arranged that neither mice, bees, nor other 



