402 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



July 1 



the latter into a hive for standard frames, if 

 one is needed temporarily. In addition to 

 this Mr. Carr made an improvement in the 

 metal end which he brougnt out in 1887 (see 

 British Bee Journal, 1887, page 57), and which 

 has gradually superseded every other, so 

 that now all hives are fitted with frames hav- 

 ing the " W. B. C. " metal ends. 



Mr. Carr was a very successful honey-pro- 

 ducer; and prior to his connection with the 

 British Bee Journal he was a frequent exhibi- 

 tor, always taking prizes. He was one of the 

 original rounders of the Lancashire and Che- 

 shire Bee-keepers' Association, and at the 

 Indian and Colonial exhibition held in Lon- 

 don in 1882 he superintended the exhibits of 

 that association, contributing by far the 

 largest part of the honey from his own apia- 

 ry, for which first prize was awarded. As a 

 practical manipulator there were few his 

 equals, and he went about his work in a quiet 

 unobtrusive manner; and it was always a 

 treat to hear his counsels to beginners or 

 candidates he was examining. He had gone 

 through a bad attack of foul brood, whicn he 

 cured, and managed, after that, to keep his 

 bees healthy and prosperous. 



Mr. Carr was a writer for many years be- 

 fore he became connected with the British 

 Bee Journal in 1890. He contributed to the 

 Journal of Horticulture even before the British 

 Bee Journal -wa^s established in 1873, and took 

 an active part in connection with the literary 

 work of the Bee-keepers' Record, which sub- 

 sequently came under his sole charge — from 

 the time it was started in 1882. It was in 

 1889 that his uprightness and high moral 

 character induced me to single him out, and 

 make him an offer to associate him with me 

 in editing the British Bee Journal. Mr. Carr 

 willingly accepted this offer, as, with ad- 

 vancing years, he was thinking of giving up 

 his engraving business; and to devote all 

 his time to bees was just what he thought 

 would best suit him. The British Bee Journal 

 was already at that time a weekly paper, and 

 there was also the Bee-keepers' Adviser, a 

 monthly, published at the British Bee Journal 

 office. This was amalgamated with the Rec- 

 ord, which was placed under Mr. Carr's di- 

 rection. He carried out to the last his trust 

 with notable ability, and his evenness of 

 temper and sound practical knowledge were 

 seen alike in his own articles and in his re- 

 plies to inquiries. He was associated with 

 rne for 19 years, and during the whole of that 

 time our intercourse was of the pleasantest; 

 and I felt that, during my frequent visits 

 abroad, I could safely trust my interests, as 

 well as those of bee-keepers, in his hands. 

 He was on the Council of the British Bee- 

 keepers' Association since 1890, and was a 

 regular attendant at their monthly meetings; 

 and, owing to his experience, he was in fre- 

 quent request as a judge and examiner in 

 different parts of the country, and was thus 

 a familiar figure at all our principal shows. 

 When my advice was sought respecting the 

 re-writing of the article on the "Bee" for 

 the new edition of the "(Encyclopaedia Brit- 

 annica " it was_with much pleasure that I se- 



lected Mr. Carr for the work, which he car- 

 ried out in an efficient manner. 



For years the British Bee Journal offices 

 have been the rendez-vous of bee-keepers 

 from all parts of the world, and no one has 

 ever been sent away without receiving the 

 best advice and counsel that Mr. Carr could 

 impart. There were few men in England 

 who knew more about bees, and his loss is 

 one that is universally felt. Mr. Carr had al- 

 ways hoped that he might die in the harness, 

 and his hope was realized, for he was ill but 

 a few days before he was called to his rest. 

 Truly it may be said, "The end of this man 

 was peace." He is no longer with us, but 

 his works remain, and his influence will be 

 felt for a long time. It has been quite touch- 

 ing to receive the number of letters sent 

 from all parts, showing the wide sympathy 

 felt for the loss which we have all sustained. 



A SIMPLE UNCAPPING-MACHINE. 



Knives that will Take a Thin Slice from 



New Empty Combs without Mutilating 



the Cells. 



BY L. R. FERGUSON. 



During my experimenting with uncapping- 

 machines I have made and tried four entire- 

 ly new and different machines, the last one 

 of which I think can fairly be considered a 

 success. 



In my experimental work I have had in 

 view the development of a machine having 

 the following desirable features: 



Simplicity of construction and operation, 

 and cheapness of production. 



Light weight and compact design to facili- 

 tate moving for use at out-apiaries. 



The entire absence of moving parts such 

 as cranks, cog-wheels, belts, treadles, ropes, 

 moving knives, or revolving cylinders. 



Simple and rapid adjustment for changing 

 from one style or size of frame to another. 



The absence of any necessity for the use 

 of heat or outside mechanical power, such as 

 steam or electricity. 



A knife which would successfully work 

 with any kind or condition of honey, and 

 level off to a uniform surface all comb, 

 whether capped or not. 



The entire separation of the detached cap- 

 pings from the uncapped comb. 



The easy introduction and withdrawal of 

 the comb in such a way that neither comb 

 nor hands need come in contact with the 

 honey and cappings dropping from the 

 knives; and, above all else, rapidity and ease 

 of operation. 



Fig. 1 shows a full-depth Langstroth frame 

 introduced far enough to uncap about two 

 inches at one end, and furnishes a good com- 

 parison from which to form an idea of the 

 size of the machine. 



In operating the machine the bottom-bar 

 of the frame is placed between the flaring 

 sides of the first set of bottom-guides, the 

 frame brought to an upright position, and 



