THE HONEY-BEE. 
223 
sometimes found mixed with, or rather deposited 
above, alayer of farina. Shouldit be wished, therefore, 
to obtain a supply free from these imperfections, the 
empty story which is added, may he placed above, 
instead of below the original stock, and the honey will 
thus be of a superior kind. This mode of operating is 
called super-ing, in contra-distinction to nadir- ing.* 
This practice of partial deprivation has never yet 
become general, because it is liable to frequent failure, 
even in improved hives, and because the full benefit 
is not derived from it at the very commencement of 
the system. The liability to failure, the first of the 
objections stated, is owing in most instances, not to 
the mode, hut to the period of the operation. Ac- 
cording to the too common practice of those who are 
friendly to deprivation, a portion of honey is abstract- 
ed from the hives about the beginning or middle of 
September; and the owner compliments himself on 
his moderation in being content with a part instead 
of the whole, and on his humanity in saving the lives 
of his industrious favourites ; while in nine instances 
out of ten, he finds, on the arrival of March, that his 
moderation and humanity have been altogether un- 
availing ; and that he has saved them from a violent 
death by suffocation, only to expose them to the 
more tardy, but not less cruel death, by starvation. 
Whereas, if deprivation take place soon after the 
swarming season, as already recommended, and is 
managed with discretion, the issue will be very diffe- 
* Dr. Bevan practises Nadir-ing only with young swarms, 
and Super-ing with those of preceding years. 
