THE PRODUCTION OF HONEY. 
493 
is most important, especially in relation to comb 
honey. 
To return to our stock, above which, let us suppose, 
some days previously, a storey of combs had been 
placed ; as these are getting in large part filled, while 
the bees are gaining strength, a third tier should be 
added, and, according to usual practice, beneath the 
top box, in or-der that the latter may be carried off 
when ready for appropriation ; but Mr. Raitt very 
wisely urges that, where excluder zinc is not used, the 
difficulty just now mentioned is likely to meet us by 
the queen giving her attention to the alluring combs. 
He therefore places these above, far away from the 
haunts of the queen, until partly filled, and then inter- 
changes the two top boxes, the upper of which wall 
soon be completed, to be then taken away bodily, to 
make room for one carrying empty combs as before. 
The determination of the correct moment for adding 
a new tier needs experience. The condition of 
the upper box can be pretty accurately estimated by 
turning back the corner of the quilt, and looking at 
the outside face of the outside comb. This will re- 
main unsealed longer than the others. Should white 
capping be seen at its end, the time for removal 
cannot be distant ; and if the bees are working 
energetically, especially if the weather be very hot, 
no time should be lost in increasing accommodation : 
for it must not be forgotten that, as honey is gathered, 
the space within is constantly reduced, while a box 
of absolutely completed combs is generally well-nigh 
vacated by the bees. In adding new combs, the rule 
will ahvays be followed of spacing a full i^in. 
