SURPLUS HONEY IN BOXES AND EXTRACTED. 93 



strong colonies have the swarming propensity gratified, and are kept at 

 work. By raising queens in August and setting away full combs, they 

 are easily separated into good strong colonies for winter. Extracted 

 honey may be put directly into barrels or cans. In this case it is much 

 more apt to candy. After ripening or evaporating for a few days it is 

 less liable to candy. It is a great trouble thus to preserve it, since all 

 insects will drop into it and get drowned. The best mode of taking care 

 of extracted honey is to put it directly into fruit cans, and seal up when 

 almost at the boiling point. Thus the air is driven out and it seldom 

 candies. It may be heated in large quantities and at once put up secure- 

 ly, so that there is no loss from leakage, or a second handling, or any 

 fear of impurities from insects or dust. It is then ready for market. 

 The cans are useful in every household when the honey is used up, and 

 the consumer does not feel that he is paying for useless bottles." 



The value of these great improvements in apiculture are so well 

 acknowledged, that it is hardly necessary to add any testimonials. Lead- 

 in ' apiarians everywhere agree concerning the advantages of the extrac- 

 tor, and of comb-foundation for the broodnest . Some yet argue against 

 its use in boxes, on the ground of impurities in the wax, which may en- 

 danger the price of box honey. The Bellows Smoker is one of these 

 simple conveniences, concerning which the testimony constantly receiv- 

 edis: "I could not do without it." "Iwouldnot take $50 or $100 

 for mine, if it could not be replaced." "It is more than is claimed for 

 it," &c. Every beginner should furnish himself with a veil, a bellows 

 smoker, and — even though not over two hives are kept— an extractor 

 will pay the first year. 



GOLDEN ETJLES. 



Fiest. — Keep all colonies strong. This is the best protection against 

 moths and robbers; the surest way to secure an abundance of surplus 

 honej', and such colonies, with sufficient stores, are wintered most safely. 



Second. — In handling bees, be gentle. Subdue them, if necessary, 

 with smoke, which causes them to fill themselves witn honey. "A bee 

 filled with liquid sweets, will not volunteer an attack." If stung, scrape 

 off the sting at once. 



Third. Have the hive carefully protected from the severe and sud- 

 den changes in spring. 



