468 HONEY PRODUCTION. 



common, but we use four-frame extractors altogether, one in 

 each apiary. These extractors accommodate eight half -story 

 frames. 



yy^. In regard to the honey or uncapping knife, justice 

 compels us to say that, so far, to our knowledge, there is 

 but one which is really practical, the Bingham honey knife. 

 This knife does away with the annoyance of having the cup- 

 pings stick to the comb again, after having been shaved off, 

 because it is made with a bevel, which causes the shaver to 

 hold it in a slanting position, so that the cappings cannot 

 stick to the comb again, unless purposely allowed to do so. 



A machine has been devised to perforate the cells instead of 

 uncapping them. There are numerous objections to such an 

 instrument. It does not always open the cells sufficiently to 

 allow the honey to drain out, it wastes the cappings which 



Fig. 210. 



THE BINGHAM KNIFE. 



would otherwise furnish beeswax enough to pay for the entire 

 cost of extracting and it causes the little bits of wax to float 

 in the honey, increasing the amount of scum that may rise to 

 the top. We warn our readers against any such contrivance. 

 We discarded them years ago, after trial. 



As fast as the combs are uncapped on both sides, they are 

 put into the extractor, which may be turned by a boy. Care 

 should be taken that the combs, that are placed opposite one 

 another, be of nearly equal weight, as the unequal weight 

 causes the extractor to swing right and left, fatiguing the 

 boy and injuring the machinei, 



y^S. A quiet, regular motion is all that is necessary to 

 throw the honey out, and, in warm weather, it fairly rains 

 against the sides of the can with a noise similar to that of a 

 shower on a tin roof. 



