sometimes found mixed with, or rather deposited above, a layer of farina. Should it be wished, therefore, to obtain a supply free from these imperfections, the empty story which is added, may be placed above, instead of below the original stock, and the honey will thus be of a superior kind. This mode of operating is called super-ing, in contra-distinction to nadir-ing.[1]
This practice of partial deprivation has never yet become general, because it is liable to frequent failure, even in improved hives, and because the full benefit is not derived from it at the very commencement of the system. The liability to failure, the first of the objections stated, is owing in most instances, not to the mode, but to the period of the operation. According to the too common practice of those who are friendly to deprivation, a portion of honey is abstracted from the hives about the beginning or middle of September; and the owner compliments himself on his moderation in being content with a part instead of the whole, and on his humanity in saving the lives of his industrious favourites; while in nine instances out of ten, he finds, on the arrival of March, that his moderation and humanity have been altogether unavailing; and that he has saved them from a violent death by suffocation, only to expose them to the more tardy, but not less cruel death, by starvation. Whereas, if deprivation take place soon after the swarming season, as already recommended, and is managed with discretion, the issue will be very diffe-
- ↑ Dr. Bevan practises Nadir-ing only with young swarms, and Super-ing with those of preceding years.
