JUNE 1, 1913 



377 



rates — that is, you multiply the pounds by 

 the rate per hundred; and in shii^ping any 

 thing by express one should always find out 

 wliether the article to be shipped is entitle*] 

 to that rate. 



When the parcel jjost is prepared to give 

 the matter entrusted to it the same care that 

 the express companies do (and that time will 

 not be any longer than it takes the Depart- 

 ment to work all the details out) I believe 

 that the method I liave hei'e outlined will 

 l)e the best for small shipments of comb 

 honey. One can then have any number of 

 customers in all parts of the country, and 

 can send five, ten, or more pounds of honey 

 with perfect safety at a saving to both pro- 

 ducer and consumer. By then, too. Brother 

 Root will be making or supplying baskets 

 and cartons to the trade, so that it will not 

 be necessary to call upon the saloon busi- 

 ness for help. 



Several times while in the express busi- 

 ness I accepted shipments of comb honey in 

 strong boxes and in the ordinary glass-front 

 shipping cases. One such, going only ten 

 miles, was so injured that the contents had 

 to be sold as bulk comb; and another going 

 one hundred miles had leaked so that it 

 could hardly be handled. I never knew of 

 any that entirely escaped. 



The following are the essential points in 

 handling comb honey : First, the comb 

 should at all times be top side up, just as 

 it comes from the hive ; second, the con- 

 tainer should be such that all vibration is 

 taken up; and, lastly, the package should 

 be of a kind that all parties who handle it 

 would know at a glance that it required the 

 greatest care. In ease the shipment is to 

 be made by freight, the package should be 

 strong and well braced; if by express, in as 

 light and fragile but as well packed a con- 

 tainer as possible; if by mail — wait a while 

 and let us have a little experience first. 

 Ultimately, however, I believe we can ship 

 by mail the same as we do by express now. 



STEAM FROM A TEA-KETTLE FOR THE UN- 

 CAPPING-KNIFE 



BY J. L. BYER 



For the past few seasons we have used 

 the steam-heated uncapping-knife, and like 

 it very much, particularly if the honey is 

 very thick and the weather none too warm. 

 The picture shows my son in i^osition for 

 operating. But with snow on the ground 

 and a heavy cap on the operator, it does not 

 look very " seasonable." However, it shows 

 very plainly the outfit we have worked with 

 which has given good satisfaction. The 

 kettle shown is only a small one, holding 



A boiler for the steam-knife, made from a tea-kettle. 



about a quart of water. The spout was re- 

 moved, and one from a common machinist's 

 oil-can was soldered on instead. It was 

 placed in a more upright position as will 

 be seen ; and as it tapers toward the end, 

 the rubber tube fits on closely. To keep 

 steam from leaking around the lid of the 

 kettle, two or three thicknesses of cheese- 

 cloth were put over the opening and the 

 cover then pressed in. Small as this kettle 

 is, once filling with water will last half a 

 day. A single-burner oil-stove is used, and 

 this has given sufficient heat, with the ex- 

 ception of a couple of very cool days last 



350 lbs. of wax from the cappings from .'^5,000 lbs. 



of honey — one pound of capping wax to 100 



of honey extracted. 



