and its Economic Management. 275 
Uncapping Can 
which is to be in two sections, one fitting into the other. 
The upper part receives the cappings, having a strainer 
at bottom and one or more bars of wood or metal across 
the top whereon to stand the comb. While resting one 
end of the frame of comb on the bars, and the upper end 
held by the projecting ear in the left hand, with the top 
bar towards you, with a slightly diagonal and sawing 
motion carry the uncapping knife from top to bottom, 
removing not only the cappings but all comb that may 
project beyond the plane of the frame; reverse, and serve 
the opposite side in like manner, when the comb is to be 
inserted in one of the cages of the extractor with the top 
bar standing in a direction opposite to that in which the 
revolutions are to be made, as the cells inclining towards 
the top bar, the honey leaves more readily. The uncapping 
stand (Fig. 46) provides for melting the wax cappings at 
the same operation. Now, unless the 
Rate of Speed 
be carefully regulated, the operator is liable to break his 
combs, and thus render them difficult-to handle; but by 
turning slowly while emptying the first side, the great 
weight of the other will not force the combs into the wire 
netting. Now reverse all combs, at first working at a slow 
pace, but gradually increasing the speed, until you may 
set the machine going as fast as it can be made to revolve, 
having already removed the bulk from the opposite sides, 
though with a steady motion. When at full speed, slip 
off the multiplying gear if on the horizontal pattern, 
when a great many revolutions will be made while you 
can go on uncapping. The combs should again be 
reversed, and the sides first done are to be rapidly turned 
