424 
GRADING COMB HONEY 
Producers of the country, after the fed¬ 
eral net-weight law went into effect, Septem¬ 
ber, 1914, were compelled to mark every sec¬ 
tion by weight. Sections that are approxi¬ 
mately of the same weight are put in a class 
by themselves. But no section in that weight 
shall be less than a certain definite figure 
in ounces. For instance, under the Colorado 
grading rules, for “Fancy,” no section 
may weigh less than 12% ounces net or 
13% ounces gross. In grade No. 1 the 
figures stand respectively 11 and 12 
ounces; in No. 2, 10 and 11 ounces. 
The operation of the federal net-weight 
law at first caused a general grumbling on 
the part of the producer and the dealer 
alike; but the result has been salutary, be¬ 
cause the dealer and the consumer now 
know exactly for what their money is pay¬ 
ing. While the producer at first lost a lit¬ 
tle because any weight in excess of the min¬ 
imum figure was given to the consumer, the 
producer soon learned that it was necessary 
for him to charge enough, more for his 
product to cover one ounce per section. 
The “fancy” grade provides that the 
comb shall be “firmly attached on all sides 
and evenly capped”; No. 1 grade provides 
that comb shall be “firmly attached, not 
projecting beyond the edge.” The No. 2 
grade makes no statement as to how the 
combs are to be attached, but still provides 
that “it shall be entirely capped except the 
row of cells next to the wood.” 
The revised rules provide, also, that hon¬ 
ey must not be packed in second-hand 
cases nor in badly stained or mildewed 
sections. It must not show any signs of 
granulation or leaks; must contain no hon- 
eydew, and must not have an undue 
amount of cells uncapped. 
While these rules are perhaps adequate 
for the great bulk of comb honey produced, 
they are not quite flexible enough to take in 
honey that will be above the Colorado 
“Fancy” and No. 1 grade. The A. I. Root 
Company have the following set of rules 
which, it will be observed, provide for 
“extra fancy,” fancy, No.l, and No. 2. 
In harmony with the federal net-weight 
regulations and the statutes of many States, 
all comb honey we handle is figured with the 
weight of the section box as well as the case 
excluded. To get the net weight, deduct the 
weight of the empty case and 1 lb. 8 oz. for 
the weight of 24 sections (1 oz. each). 
COMB HONEY. 
Extra Fauci /.—Sections to be evenly filled, 
combs firmly attached to the four sides, the 
sections to be free from propolis or other 
pronounced stain, combs and cappings white, 
and not more than six unsealed cells on 
either side. No section in this grade to 
weigh'less than 14 oz. net. Cases must av¬ 
erage not less than 22 lbs. net. 
Fancy .—Sections to be evenly filled, comb 
firmly attached to the four sides, the sec¬ 
tions free from propolis or other pronounced 
stain; comb and cappings white, and not 
more than six unsealed cells on either side 
exclusive of the outside row. No section in 
this grade to weigh less than 13 oz. net. 
Cases must average not less than 21 lbs. 
net. 
No. I .—Sections to be evenly filled, comb 
firmly attached to the four sides, the sec¬ 
tions free from propolis or other pronounced 
Fancy comb in 4 x 5 plain sections. 
stain; comb and cappings white to slightly 
off color, and not more than 40 unsealed 
cells, exclusive of the outside row. No sec¬ 
tion in this grade to weigh less than 11 oz. 
Cases must average not less than 20 lbs. 
net. 
No. 2 .—Combs not projecting beyond the 
box, attached to the sides not less than two- 
thirds of the way around, and not more than 
60 unsealed cells exclusive of the row adja¬ 
cent to the box. No section in this grade to 
weigh less than 10 oz. net. Cases must aver¬ 
age not less than 18 lbs. net. 
