Country Enterprise - separating honey from comb with honey extractor

<P> If you want to sell or eat honey and wax together, you put lots of little boxes, referred to as sections, into the supers instead of the usual larger frames.</P><P> The bees are never quite as enthusiastic about filling the little boxes, presumably because being sociable little creatures they prefer working in large groups. However, in a good year, you will get quite a reasonable yield this way. You will also receive a premium for honey sold in this way and will avoid having to purchase the second most expensive item of equipment in beekeeping after the hive - an extractor. </P><P> You need the extractor to extract honey cleanly and efficiently. An extractor works on the same principle as a spin-dryer, using centrifugal force to remove the honey from the comb. The honey must be clean before you jar it or you will find that it ferments. Very nice if you are making mead but not if you are selling pure honey. Some groups of beekeepers share extractors and sometimes you can hire one through a beekeepers' association. Clean honey jars are a necessity and if you are producing a lot of honey, you will need to buy some new jars. In any case, you should always use a new lid to avoid contamination. You can ask your local beekeepers' association about obtaining jars. </P><P><A HREF=bees7.htm>extra from bee association</A></P>