438 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. 



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coming in contact with the bottom, and water is poured in to about 3 inches 

 from the top of the containers. The water should not be heated above 150 

 degrees — about what one can bear the hand in for six seconds. 8eini- 

 granulated honey can be liquefied in about six hours, while hard granulated 

 honey will take from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Care must be taken 

 when handling honey in this vat, not to depend on the handles of the con- 

 tainers, but to have a few holders made so as to fit right round the tin. 

 Another thing to remember when honey is to be stored for a period that may 

 allow it to granulate again is not to till the containers right up, for during 

 the heating the honey will expand. 



When larger quantities are to be liquefied it is advisable to have a small 

 steam boiler and a vat to hold about fourteen to sixteen tins. VA. pipe will 

 deliver the steam into the water in the vat to keep up the temperature ; this 

 is regulated V)y a steam cock to supply the desired volume. The usefulness of a 

 steam boiler on a lai'ge apiary cannot be overestimated, and second-hand 

 ones are often obtainable at no great outlay. kSteam can be supplied for keeping 

 the water hot in the cappings reducer, cleaning honey tins, and melting 

 up wax and old combs. It is also an economical power if an engine is fitted 

 for sawing purposes, &c.' 



Another Combined Sprat. . 



A COMBINED spray consisting of red miscible oil and washing soda has been 

 gaining in popularity in coastal districts of late, growers finding that it acts 

 well provided it is not used when the weather is very hot nor when drought 

 conditions prevail. 



Commenting on the mixture, the Fruit Export writes : — " The soda is 

 added to the oil to make the spray effective against white wax. It has been 

 used a good deal in the Gosford district during the last two or three 

 seasons, but after the erratic behaviour of miscible oils on citrus trees in the 

 past I would not care to recommend it. I still prefer the resin wash."' 



Saunders' Case-motii (Metura elongata), 



Th>e cocoon of a caterpillar of which he had no knowledge except that it was 

 infesting his garden in great numbers was recently forwarded by a corres- 

 pondent for identification. The specimen was a cocoon of Saunders' case-moth 

 {Metura elongata). The female of this species never comes out of the case ; 

 the larvie are hatched in it and drop out through the opening at the bottom, 

 when they immediately set to work and foi"m a covering cocoon under the 

 shelter of which they feed and grow. As they grow they add to the cocoon, 

 and when full fed stop moving about and fix the cocoon to a twig. The female 

 undergoes a complete* metamorphosis in the coeoon. The male turns round 

 head downwards and pupates, coming out a perfect active moth, and 

 impregnates the female in the cocoon. When numerous they can do a gojd 

 deal of damage to foliage. — W. W. Fkoggatt. 



