172 



PRODUCTION OF EXTRACTED HONEY 



drop on the hot metal, they will be melted and run at once into 

 a receptacle at the lower end. The bottom is usually double, 

 and the metal extends up several inches on each side of the tank, 

 the space between the two sheets of metal composing the bottom 

 and sides being filled with water. "^The water distributes the heat 

 more evenly, thus preventing the space immediately over the 

 flame from becoming too hot. 



The honey and melted wax are both caught in the same con- 

 tainer, but the wax comes to the top and may be lifted off in 

 cakes when cool. 



Fig. 84. — The Peterson capping melter. 



There is quite an advantage in disposing of the cappings as 

 fast as cut from the combs, especially in a large apiary. How- 

 ever, these melters do not always give satisfaction, as the honey 

 is often over-heated and the quality injured. Most large pro- 

 ducers of the author's acquaintance prefer the uncapping box 

 without artificial heat. 



