Vol. XYIII. 



JUNE 1, 1890. 



No. 11. 



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A SOLAR WAX-EXTHACTOR FOR 

 LIQUEFYING CANDIED HONEY. 



RIPENING EXTRACTBD HONEY BY MEANS OF A 

 SOLAR WAX-EXTRACTOR. 



The illustration in Gleanings of April 15 has 

 broug-ht some inquiries in regard to the mammoth 

 solar wax extractor shown there. A few explana- 

 tions will probably make it better understood. 



In size it is 5 ft. 3 in. x 3 ft. 9 in., and 8 in. deep. 

 A chamber at the lower end, where a pan catches 

 the melted wax, makes the entire length about 6 ft. 

 It is made of 78-i''ch pine lumber. The bottom is of 

 narrow matched stuff, to make it tight. It is 

 thoroughly painled a dark color, inside and out, 

 and covered with glass. On the upper part I have 

 used window-sash, which is removable. The lower 

 part, or chamber, has glass, also removable, for the 

 convenience of getting at the wax - dish. It is 

 mounted on wheels in front, for convenience in 

 moving, with legs at the back end, giving it an in- 

 cline of about 45 degrees. 



This extractor works very nicely, as illustrated 

 and described. But I will note some of the im- 

 provements suggested by its use. The window- 

 sash are a little imperfect, as the bars of wood be- 

 tween the glass obstruct the sun so that the wax 

 cools under them in their shadow. It would be bet- 

 ter to have the glass unobstructed by bars, or at 

 least have them as small as possible. Two large 

 glasses, I think, in place of the sash, would be a de- 

 cided improvement. 



Retiectors would give some additional heat, and 

 make the machine much more complete. I do- 

 signed these to hinge upon each side, and to ans- 

 wer, when closed, as a eover to protect the glass 

 and keep out the dust and rain when not in use, 

 having them wide enough to shut together in roof 



shape, and .lined on the inside with tins to reflect 

 the sun. These can be fastened open at any angle 

 desired, when used as reflectors. 



A correspondent asks, "What prevents the combs 

 from sliding down when they melt?" They will 

 not slide down; but the wax will melt and run out, 

 and leave the old comb and residue, which can be 

 removed at your leisure. It gets out the wax in 

 the best condition, and with the least labor of any 

 method I have ever tried, and I have tried a good 

 many ways; and I am not done yet. I have some- 

 thing else to say about the solar extractor. We all 

 know how much trouble it is to liquefy granulated 

 honey. But some one says, " Don't do it." But we 

 have to do it sometimes; and when we have occa- 

 sion to do a job of this kind, just place it in the so- 

 lar extractor, if in cans or pails, or any convenient 

 packages to go inside; or if in bulk, have a large 

 pan on purpose. It is much better than any meth- 

 od where artificial heat is used. It can also be used 

 to evaporate extracted honey by having a wire- 

 cloth screen at the upper end, to be opened for 

 ventilation. In order to make it convenient for 

 melting or evaporating honey, I would suggest, in- 

 stead of fixed legs at the back end, a standard with 

 holes through it, and a pin with which to fasten the 

 machine at any desired inclination. It could then 

 be let down to a horizontal position for this pur- 

 pose. Just put the honey in and go about your 

 business. It won't burn nor spoil, but the work will 

 be done in the cheapest aiid very hcst possible man- 

 ner. 



The greatest drawback I have found in the use 

 of a machine of this kind is a lack of sunshine. 

 Vou will be as astonished as I was when you come 

 to use one, at the very few days in the whole sea- 

 son in which we have clear, unobstructed sunshine 

 —a neceseary condition for the complete success of 



