286 Preserving Extracted Honey. 
should be turned into the barrel, the bung driven in tight, 
the barrel twirled in every position, after which the bung 
is loosened by a blow with the hammer, and the residue of 
the wax turned out. Economy requires that the barrels be 
warm when waxed, so that only a thin coat will be appro- 
priated. I think of late soft wood barrels are being used 
almost exclusively for honey. These must be tight without 
soaking, though it is well to drive the hoops well before 
using them. We should also test them by use of a little 
‘hot water before use. If when sealed no steam escapes 
they are surely tight. 
Large tin cans, waxed and soldered at the openings after 
being filled, are cheap, and may be the most desirable 
receptacles for extracted honey. Tin cans are rapidly 
replacing barrels for honey. These are made of various 
sizes and are shipped either in a wooden jacket, or packed 
in barrels. : 
Extracted honey unless sealed should always be kept in 
dry apartments. If thin when extracted, it should be kept 
in open barrels or cans in a warm, dry room till it has thor- 
oughly ripened. If quite thin it must be kept in quite a 
warm room, in very shallow vessels. In this way I have 
ripened very thin honey, so it was of excellent quality. In 
all such cases the vessels should be covered by cheese cloth. 
