178 



journal of Agriculture , Victoria. [lo Mar., 1911. 



The uncapping of the combs was done over a cappings reducer, also a 

 recent invention. This is an apparatus heated by a blue flame or a Primus; 

 ."^-tove. It consists of an outer and an inner case of tinned copper, form- 

 ing a square hot- water- jacketed vessel, two opposite sides of which are 

 connected near the top by means of transver.se square tubes. These are 

 .set \ inch apart, and form a grid upon which the cappings fall as they 

 are sliced off the combs. When coming into contact with the hot tubes, 

 the wax melts and, with the honev adhering to the cappings, passes 

 through between the tubes into a receptacle located underneath. In this, 

 by rea.son of their different specific gravities, the honey, refuse and wax 

 separate into different layers. By the employment of the U-tube prin- 

 ciple, the honey escapes through an adjustable elbow tube, the wax over- 

 flowing by a separate outlet, while the refuse, generally known as " slum- 

 gum," remains in the receptacle from which it may be removed at the 

 end of the dav's work. 



BEE-KEEP2RS AT MR. BEST S APIARY. GREAT WESTERN. 



The saving, in a marketable form, of the wax contained in old black 

 brood combs was the subject of another demonstration in which great in- 

 terest was taken. This wax is usually partly, and often wholly, wasted 

 through the difficulty of separating it from the many thousands of cocoons. 

 These it covers with a fine coating which the ordinary means employed 

 fail to remove. A hot-water wax press, however, forces this out by pres- 

 sure, leaving only such traces of wax in the refuse that, if obtained, would' 

 not pay for the labour of subjecting the material to a second boiling and" 

 pressing. 



Many of tho.se who attended the meeting came considerable distances, 

 but all expressed themselves well satisfied with what they had learned. 

 There can be no doubt that much more benefit results to bee-keepers from 

 seeing a thing "p*""'''' Hone, than from hearing or reading about it. It 



is to be 



gatherings will be held at other centres. 



