1 68 NOTES. 



regulating swarming, guarding against moths, and manipulating both 

 bees and comb. 



2. The invention of the extractor, or honey slinger, a machine 

 which empties the honey from the combs by centrifugal force, with- 

 out injury, so that the combs may be returned to the bees, marks 

 another great step in apiculture. Thus virgin honey, free from 

 foreign admixture, is obtained, having the flavor of the flower from 

 which it is drawn. 



3. The further invention of artificial comb-foundation, made of 

 pure wax, first successfully used to a large extent this season, com- 

 pletes the requisites for placing bee-keeping on the basis of a great 

 industry in our country. Bees receive this artificial comb-foundation 

 with readiness as receptacles both for honey and brood. 



4. Simultaneous with the first and all of these improvements, the 

 introduction of Italian bees, and of improved methods of rearing 

 queens, and of transporting and introducing them to colonies, has 

 greatly improved the value of the honey gatherers, both, because of 

 the superiority of the Italian bee, and the introduction of new blood. 

 New blood prevents the danger from in-and-in breeding. 



5. The great drawback to apiculture is the sting of the bee. 

 Danger from this source is now largely overcome by the simple ap- 

 pliances used for the protection of the person, and for subduing the 

 bees. The most vicious colony may be subdued in a very few 

 minutes. 



6. To consumers of honey, a few facts are necessary in this 

 article, to preserve them from imposition. Nice white comb speaks 

 for itself, and is generally admired ; but the price many lovers of 

 honey cannot afford. It makes a beautiful dish for the table, but is 

 no better than extracted honey. All comb is wax, and wax in the 

 stomach is perfectly indigestible. Extracted honey is the pure liquid 

 honey as it is taken from the combs by the honey slinger, free from 

 any foreign admixture. It is entirely different from what is known 

 in the market as strained honey. Consumers help to impose upon 

 themselves by the false idea that pure honey will not granulate. 

 They desire ungranulated honey, and dealers will attempt to supply 

 the demand. Almost all pure honey will granulate when exposed 

 for some time to light and cold. The granulated state is a fine 

 evidence of pure honey. Much of the jar honey heretofore sold in 

 the markets, and recommended not to granulate, is a very inferior 

 article, composed largely of glucose or some inferior substance. 

 Granulated honey can be reduced to its liquid state in a few moments 

 by placing the jar in warm water. When thus liquified it so remains 

 for some time before again crystalizing. Consumers may be sure of 



