REGARDING RE>harvesting honey W. Allen Dick writes: >We try to extract before any significant amount of capping takes >place unless ambient moisture is high (Rainy weather, etc.) >Chances are greater of accidentally extracting nectar during a flow >if cells are uncapped - - especially if honey is pulled late in the >day, however uncapped honey *can* be quite ripe and ready to extract. >If we waited until all the cells were capped here, we would be >dealing with honey at 14 - 15% moisture. Far too dry. Well, I am amazed. I learn something every day on this list, and I guess it has a lot to do with one's location. My grandfather used to use a rule of thumb, to wait until the frames were at least half capped (this was in eastern Wisconsin). My experience (in southeastern Michigan) is that such frames are almost always far too wet. I go with the other postings here that allow about 10 - 20%(at most) uncapped cells. Obviously, if nectar can be shaken out, the frames are nowhere near ready to extract. However, I have never had any experience with honey as dry as 14-15%. This amazes me, and I can only explain it by geographical factors. You are indeed fortunate, if you don't have to worry about wet honey and can extract when the bees begin to cap. I have to wait until capping is almost complete, and then have to hurry to get the honey off so I can put in the Apistan. Ted Fischer