But to go a little farther and compare prices—for the past two or three years, extracted honey has sold for six, eight and ten cents per pound, rarely for twelve; and slow, hard sale all the way along; while comb honey in nice boxes (such as are used in the Controllable Hive) has sold readily for from twenty-five to thirty-five cents per pound, and frequently as high as forty cents. Some may not see clearly why there is this difference in price. It is expressed in one word: counterfeit. Extracted honey can be easily counterfeited; comb honey cannot. There is much in the market bearing the name of extracted honey, not one drop of which is the product of bees. I have frequently seen this counterfeit in the market, nicely sealed up in the glass tumblers and labelled "Pure Honey," and to make the deception complete, a small piece of honey comb, about an inch square, was seen in each tumbler. No doubt the comb was empty when it was put in; but it seemed to delude many into the belief that the article was pure honey, when not one drop was ever produced by bees.
My advice to bee-keepers is, don't use an extractor, but place your honey in the market in nice boxes, such as are used with the Controllable Hive; and my word for it, results will please you.
CHAPTER XIX.
MONTHLY DUTIES.
THE successful management and care of bees requires forethought and preparation for all labor and care bestowed on them, if we desire to bestow it at the proper time, and in the most judicious manner. I have in this chapter given only brief hints as to the work to be performed. Such of my readers as are located in a climate essentially differing from that of the New England States, will perceive the necessity of varying their management to correspond with the difference in climate, etc.
I shall repeat some of the statements already made, in order to impress them more thoroughly upon the bee-keeper. The object of this chapter is to bring to the mind of the bee-keeper the more important duties required in the successful use of the system recommended in this work.
JANUARY.
We will commence with January as it is the first month in the year.
In this month construct hives, honey boxes, etc. Give the new hives a good coat of paint. They will last longer, and as they are to remain out of doors the year around, it is very essential that they be preserved against the weather. A good, heavy coat of paint, spread over good lumber, will prevent cracking and warping. Employ the time, in this month of comparative leisure, in getting everything in readiness for the approaching honey season.