64 HONEY BOXES. 



Boxes should be of uniform size so as to be interchangeable and so as to 

 be packed for market in crate3 of uniform size. 



Formerly long low and wide boxes were used and these taken off and 

 sent to market just as they were without separating the combs. This 

 mode was found very objectionable because the package was too large 

 for convenient retail trade, and because the honey must be cut up to 

 get at smnll quantities. This breaking up of honey causes great loss, 

 daubs up the store, and drawes flies so that many grocerymen decid- 

 edly object to handling it. 



Later, section box33 were prefered which had little grooves through 

 which the grocer could split them up into boxes containing single 

 combs. These answered better but sometimes combs will be built ir- 

 regularly in them unless separators are used. Separate sections with 

 glass on each side are popular in some sections, but consumers will soon 

 tire of paying for unnecessary glass. So too, by some, boxes with four 

 sides of glass are advocated. They supply a demand where there is 

 a sufficient call for fancy styles as will pay the extra prices. Honey 

 may be secured in various fancy shapes, hearts, circles, &c. , and sold 

 to confectioners for weddings and other extra occasions at a great price. 

 This is done by cutting the holes in plank or sections and placing them 

 in frames in the hive. Baes will fill tumblers and glass jars of any 

 shape if a piece of comb be attached for a commencement, and they are 

 put over the cluster in time. They should be put on early to be nicely 

 filled with pure white honey. 



But aside from fancy purposes the great mass of honey must be put 

 up in small convenient packages to suit the retail trade in order to in- 

 crease consumption. Bees alone can pack comb nicely in boxes so as 

 to prevent waste. In other pursuits a "middle man" does the packing 

 and preparing for the retail market. Here the bee-keeper must make 



