SURPLUS HONEY IN BOXES AND EXTRACTED. 91 



over this, a tin hoop, four or five inches wide, made stiff with wire on 

 the bottom edge, soldered on for it to rest upon. No covering is 

 needed when in use, but to keep out insects, at other times, any kind of 

 a simple covering will answer, though perhaps none is more convenient 

 than a circular piece of cloth of proper size with a rubber cord in the 

 hem. When honey is gathered plentifully, any convenient shady place 

 answers well for extracting, but if scarce, the combs must be carried 

 into some house out of the way of the bees. Sometimes it is more con- 

 venient to use for this purpose, a movable tent, covered with cotton cloth. 

 If so, it is easily made from scantling for the bottom, and poles which 

 support the cloth fastened in auger holes. They are easily lifted from 

 the holes and folded away when desirable. 



A little experience will teach one, how fast and long to turn, to extract 

 the honey. Open the hive gently, after smoking the bees for a moment. 

 Shake tho bees directly on the top of the frames or on a board in front. 

 In the first method there is less danger of losing the queen or of induc- 

 ing robbing. Brush the bees off with a tuft of broomcorn or a green 

 twig. A feather is not so good; it seems to irritate the bees. Place the 

 comb gently in the extractor, and turn very gently if the comb is new 

 or the frame not filled. If very heavy with honey do not aim to get it 

 all from the first side, until it has been turned, because heavy new comb 

 is injured by the wires mashing into it, when the velocity is great. 



ADVANTAGES OF THE EXTRACTOR. 



We caution against a too free use of the extractor, unless prepared to 

 feed if necessary, should a honey drought come when stores are thus 

 too much reduced, or if done too late in the fall. 



Judiciously used, the extractor is of great advantage in the following 

 points, as given by Rev. J. W. Shearer in The Bee-Keepers' Magazine, 

 Vol. V., No. 6, page 115: 



