45 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTUllE. 



Jan. 



and covered, and large enough to contain smokers, 

 matches, shavings, and smoker fuel enough to last 

 two or three days. 



SOLAR WAX-EXTKACTORS. 



Since the description of the Sun wax-extractor 

 which I have used for years was published in 1883, 

 page 521, 1 have noticed several descriptions of im- 

 provements, so called. All these improvements I 

 have so far seen described are, I think, of more det- 

 riment to the value of the instrument than benefit. 

 All were in reference to some method of straining 

 the melted wax from the refuse. Any wire cloth or 

 sieve that may be in the extractor to strain the wax- 

 through, must obstruct the sun's rays more or less, 

 which is a positive detriment, while the object at- 

 tained is of little or no value, as the wax being kept 

 melted for a length of time allows all the refuse to 

 settle to the bottom, when the wax can be dipped 

 off in an almost absolutely pure condition with the 

 flat sided tin cup, described in the original article. 



I also see that some make their extractors in such 

 a manner that the pan, or whatever is used to catch 

 the melted wa.x as it drops from the wax-holder, is 

 not left exposed to the sun's rays enough to keep 

 the wax in it in a melted condition, thus preventing 

 the wax from settling, or, rather, clarifying itself, 

 which I consider one of the prime objects of the 

 implement, second only to the actual melting of the 

 wax. 



I mentioned the fact in my original article, that 

 the wax rendered in the Solar wax-extractor was 

 harder than when rendered by other means, which 

 m'njht be an objection. I am informed by Mr. Thos. 

 Tracy, of Nashua, Iowa, who runs a foundation- 

 mill, that, instead of being an objection, he finds 

 the wax so rendered to be tougher and better than 

 other kinds of wax. Mr. Tracy uses a simple sys- 

 tem of reflectors, which increases the efficiency of 

 the implement, besides allowing us to use a single 

 instead of double glass. He hinges the board cover, 

 made to cover the implement when not in use, to 

 the upper end of the sash, having first lined the in- 

 side of the cover with bright tin. This can be raised 

 and fastened at any angle desired. Another cover, 

 made and lined with tin like the first one, is then 

 hinged to the side of the e.vtractor in such a manner 

 that it can be easily attached to either side of it, 

 and held in a perpendicular position by hooks and 

 staples connecting it with the first-mentioned cover. 

 The detachable hinges for the side reflector can be 

 very easily made by driving some staples into the 

 edges of the sash, and some half-bent pieces of No. 

 9 wire into the bottom edge of the reflector. The 

 side reflector will, of course, have to be on the west 

 side of the implement in the forenoon, and on the 

 east side in the afternoon, and can be laid, when 

 not in use, tin side down, on top of the implement 

 after shutting down the real cover. 



(). O. Poi'pr.ETON, lU— ;»). 



Williamstown, Iowa, .Ian. .'>, 188"). 



Thanks, friend 1*. We can ol'teu liiid at 

 the drug-stores sciuarc tin cans, used lor 

 liolding castor oil and otlier substances. 

 One of these laid on its side, with one end 

 cut open, makes an excellent leceptacle for 

 a smoker, lotten wood. etc. It keeps out 

 the rain, and no (hiiiger of lire. It can be 

 nailed np against the fence, or a post, or 

 anywhere in the apiary.-^In regard to the 

 JSolar wax-(;xtractor. it seems to me some of 

 our implement-dealers might g«it up one for 



sale. Of com'se, they coiikl be made a good 

 deal clieaper where 25 or 100 were made at 

 one time. These reflectors to throw the sun 

 on to the wax are quite an improvement. 

 If tin is used, the reflectors would have to be 

 carried in before a storm, or they would get 

 rusted so as to spoil their etticiency. A 

 cheap looking-glass plate would give still 

 more heat. If the whole were put under a 

 shed that would admit the sun, but exclude 

 wind and rain, it might always be in work- 

 ing order, and would be found, I think, a 

 profitable investment. 



MICHIGAN STATE CONVENTION. 



;aw and learned. 



fllEN I stepped from the train, the 

 first thing was to inquire of some- 

 body where the convention was to 

 be held. One might naturally sup- 

 pose that we editors know every 

 thing published in oiu* papers ; but I for 

 one find it necessary to refer to Gleanings 

 almost constantly, to know what I have 

 written and what others have written. As 

 the convention was to be held in the State- 

 house, and as the Statehouse is a very prom- 

 inent object in the city of Lansing, it did 

 not take me long to get there. I was told 

 the convention was away up in some of the 

 upper stories, and that I had better go up in 

 the elevator. The elevator was just start- 

 ing, pretty nearly full ; but I got on, and 

 wiiom do you suppose I ran against first? 

 Why. Prof. Cook himself! It always gives 

 me pleasure to hear that people are expect- 

 ing me, and are glad to see me ; tlierefore I 

 started out pretty well pleased. Friend 

 Cook stopped the elevator, and we did not go 

 away up in the attic ; but by some new ar- 

 rangement which I did not understand, we 

 straightway gathered in the Senate chamber ; 

 at least that is what they called it, if I re- 

 member correctly. It was a most beautiful 

 room, any way. I>y the way, how pleasant 

 it does make any thing in the way of con- 

 ventions go off, to have a nice commodious 

 room! The room was nice, and the people 

 were nice, and they all behaved tliemselves 

 nicely. If Iluber had been there I suppose 

 he would have ejaculated very soon, " Papa, 

 ain't it ni'?" 



The convention opened up full of interest 

 at the outset. 



REVEH8I15LE FKAMES. 



The facts given for and against these en- 

 listed my closest attention at once. The 

 question was taken up on both sides, by 

 those who are not only old in the honey bus- 

 iness, l)ut who are keen and sharp as" well. 

 A great mass of evidence was given on both 

 sides of the (piestion, and several reasons 

 were brought forward for using reversible 

 franu's, that I had not thought of. A^ery 

 likely, reversible frames might do harm in 

 the hands of a novice, because an unwise re- 

 versal results in about the same injury as 

 does an unwise spreading of the brood-nest ; 

 that is, reversing the frames too early in the 

 season, when the cluster is not strong 

 enough to stand a breaking-np of the brood- 

 nest, would perhaps do harm. Uut in the 



