468 



HONEY PRODUCTION. 



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

 each apiary. These extractors accommodate eight half -story 

 frames. 



774. 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 cap- 

 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 cappmgs cannot 

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



A machine has been devised to perforate the cells histead of 

 uncapping them. There are numerous objections to such ark 

 instrument. It does not ahvays open the cells sufficiently to 

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



Fig. 210. 



THE BINGHAM KNIFE. 



wfiuld 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 contiivance. 

 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 machine^ 



775. 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. 



