Page:How to Keep Bees.djvu/162

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
124
HOW TO KEEP BEES

which hold sixty pounds each. These are convenient for shipping and for measuring and are safe from breakage.

The advantages of extracted honey over that of comb-honey are: Almost double the honey may be produced, because the bees having no comb to build, devote their energies to storing honey; and also the honey from the brood-combs may be extracted; it is more easily and safely handled and shipped; it is more easily produced, since the bees work more readily in the emptied cells of the extracted combs than in sections where they are obliged to build new cells; swarming is more easily controlled, because the bees more readily accept the enlargement of their quarters when the supers contain fully made comb, also larger hives may be used.

The disadvantages are: It is more "mussy" and requires special apparatus; and unless great care is given, the bees will be starved through this convenient way of pilfering their stores.

MAXIMS FOR THE PRODUCER OF EXTRACTED HONEY

Use glass or tin, rather than wood, for honey receptacles.

Be careful not to expose the honey as you take it out of the supers, lest the bees begin robbing. Honey should be canned while hot, and kept from the air.

Heating honey to a higher temperature than 160° destroys its flavour.