METHOD OF DRAINING HONEY FROM THE COMBS.
Place a sieve, either of hair or canvas, over an earthen jar, cut the combs containing the honey into small pieces, and put them into a sieve; let them be cut in an horizontal direction. It is better to slice them twice—that is, at the top and bottom, than in the middle. Crushing or pressing should be avoided for, as a portion of brood and Bee-bread generally remains in the comb, pressure would force it through the sieve, and the honey would thereby be much injured, both in colour as well a& flavour. It is very desirable to have two sieves; for in every hive there will be two kinds of honey—the one almost colourless and fine-flavoured, found at the sides of the hive; the other dark and not so good, stored in the centre. These should always be kept separate. The draining process may occupy, perhaps, two days; but the largest quantity, as well as the best quality, will be drained off in three or four hours. The honey should be put into jars immediately, and the jars filled and tied down with bladder; for exposure to the air, even for a few hours, very much deteriorates its flavour. I may here observe, that honey in the combs keeps remarkably well if folded in writing-paper, and sealed up so as to exclude the free entrance of the air, and is placed in a dry warm closet.