490 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
opening, abundance of bees, respecting which see 
pages 413 seq. If to these two essentials we add 
the movable-comb system, and a hive of sufficient 
capacity, it is hardly possible that we can escape a 
good harvest awaiting the extractor ; but with all these 
conditions acting together, it is easy to fail dismallv 
in reference to comb honey, heavy yields of which are 
only won by skill and well-timed attention on the 
part of the bee-master. Extracted honey, therefore, 
logically receives our first attention ; yet even here the 
deepest knowledge alone can accomplish the best 
results. 
In working for extracted honey with long .hives, 
empty combs may obviously be placed either behind 
or on each side of the brood-nest, to be removed 
when full} others then occupying their places ; but in 
either position, only very few combs can be added 
with advantage at one time. Here, in addition, the 
honey ripens slowly, and sealing is sluggish, so that 
our comparatively short season is gone before much 
can be accomplished. But with the tiering or stori- 
fying system, which has proved itself unequalled, the 
heat of the brood-nest rises easily through any workable 
number of storeys, quickening every operation, from 
the secretion of wax to the last touch which covers 
the honey from view ; while, under usual conditions, 
the bee-keeper can add or subtract a whole storey at 
a time, both economising his labour and reducing in- 
terruption to the bees ; and, furthermore, he may, if he 
so please, consult his convenience by leaving in position 
the honey already gathered and sealed until the rush 
of work of the mid-season is over. The broad lines of 
