MANUAL OP THE APIARY. 



189 



for a distance above. The axle wa.s thus held exactly in the 

 •centre of the tub. Attached to the axle was a frame or rack 

 to hold the comb, whose outer face rested against a wire-cloth. 

 The axle with its attached frame, which latter held the 

 uncapped comb, was made to revolve by rapidly unwinding a 

 string, which had been previously wound about the top of the 

 ' axle, after the manner of top-spinning. Replace the wooden 

 tub with one of tin, and the string with gearing, and it will 

 iDe seen that we have essentially the neat extractor of to-day. 

 ■The machine is of foreign invention, and is not covered by a 

 patent, and so may be made by any one who desires to do so. 



Fig. 58. 



The first American honey extractor was that made by Mr. 

 Peabody (Pig. 58). This was without gearing, and served 

 ^.dmirably in its day, but this has since been greatly improved, 

 till now we have a great variety of machines, each with its 

 special excellencies, and all effecting the desired results with 

 more or less ease and rapidity. 



DESIRABLE POINTS IN AN EXTRACTOR. 



The machine should be as light as is consistent with 

 strength. It is desirable that the can be made of tin, as it 

 "will bo neater, and more easily kept sweet and clean. The 



