74 OUTAPIAKIES 



bai'rels in the shipment weighed in the neighl;oiho;i(l of 1500 

 pounds. At least two thirds of this was honey, yet the beelceeper 

 by his methods was unable to get out more honey, and the rest 

 was to be wasted. 



Although my preference is for the capping can or cai^ping 

 box, a large number of the best beekeepers would not work with- 

 out the capping nielter though thev reahze its shortcomings. 

 Evident it is, 1hat it provides the easiest and quickest methods 

 of disposing of the cappmgs, turning them on the spot into honey 

 and wax, and it is especially valuable for the one man plant. 



Its disadvantages are that it is hot to work over in summer, 

 and it tliscolors the hoi:e>' and injures its flavor, since it is impos- 

 sible to aji])!}' sufhcieni. heat to melt the wax without great danger 

 of slightly scorching the honey. C'appings from okl coml)s in 

 which brood has been reared, melt more slowly and cause the 

 most trouble in scorching. Some claim that this small 

 amount of discolored honey when added to the day's 

 extracting mixes so readily as to be unobserved in either color, 

 taste or smell by any observer. \\e are inclined to doubt this. 

 The essential oils from the bloom, which give the finest flavor, 

 are easily evaporated. Another criticism of the melter is that it 

 makes added ('(luipment when used in connection with the port- 

 able outfit. It would work best with the central plant. 



Prol)ably one of the chief reasons for dislike of the capping 

 can or box lies in the fact that the liest manner of procedure is 

 not alwa>s used. Explaiiation can proliably be given by describ- 

 ing in detail the plan used in the Dadant apiaries which is used 

 similarly by many beekeepers. 



A portable (Extracting erjuipment is used in connection with a 

 ])('iiiianent honey house, and in this equipment is included a 24- 

 inch capping can cajiabk" of holding usually the cappings of a good 

 day's run. Every hour or so during the day, time enough is taken 

 to give tlicse cappings a thorough stirring and breaking up with 

 a strong slick so that the honey may more readily drain. Honey 



