HIVES FOR EXTRACTED HONEY 173 



Uncapping Knives. — To remove the cappings a knife with 

 long blade is used. Straight knives were formerly in general use, 

 but of late the Bingham knife has largely replaced all others. 

 Fig. 85 shows this knife. For use it is kept hot by dipping in 

 hot water. 



A somewhat similar knife heated by steam is used to some 

 extent in large apiaries. The steam knife is hollow, and is 

 attached by rubber tubing to a small vessel of water which is set 

 over the burner of a small oil stove or lamp. A small hole at 

 the end of the knife permits the escape of the steam. As the 

 temperature of the knife is evener, it is more satisfactory. The 

 cappings do not stick to the knife, or the operator does not have 

 to stop frequently because it has become cold. 



Fia. 85. — Bingham uncapping knife. 



Hives for Extracted Honey. — While there is a difference of 

 opinion regarding the size of hive most profitable for the pro- 

 duction of comb honey, the bee-keepers are nearly all agreed that 

 the large hive is the thing for extracted honey. The ten-frame 

 Langstroth is more generally used for this purpose than any 

 other (Fig. 86). Some extensive producers use a twelve-frame 

 hive with the same size frames (Fig. 87). 



The Dadant hive is very satisfactory for this purpose, and 

 were it not for the fact that the Langstroth frame is in more 

 general use, it would find favor with the producer. The brood 

 frames of the Dadant hive are too large, however, for extracting 

 frames, thus requiring two sizes of frames. It is a decided 

 advantage to have all frames in the apiary of the same size and 

 style. 



Shallow extracting frames are good for use in connection 

 with the comb honey apiary, but are not to be recommended for 

 the production of extracted honey, l^early as much time will be 



