92 BEE CULTURE. 
Hetherington honey knife (fig. 63). It is made of the best 
steel, strong at the bend near the handle, and is wide enough 
to allow the cappings to remain on the knife while running 
across the comb. Both edges are sharp and are beveled on 
the side that comes in contact with the combs. This pre- 
vents the knife from adhering to the combs and tearing 
Fie. 63.— Bingham & Hetherington Honey Knife. 
them, while shaving off the cappings. As both edges are 
alike, it admits of being used for right or left-hand work— 
the sharp point also allows it to be used in corners or uneven 
laces. 
Another and cheaper one is the Muth knife (fig. 64) which, 
though it is not as desirable, will be used by those desiring 
an inexpensive knife. 
WHEN TO USE THE HONEY EXTRACTOR. 
Honey can be extracted, if carefully done, without the 
least injury to the bees or the comb; the latter may be 
replaced in the hive, and often are refilled by the bees within 
three or four days. 
When the breeding apartment becomes so full of honey 
that the queen has no room to lay, to extract it is a necessity. 
Fia. 64.—Muth’s Honey Knife. 
By the extractor all the honey can be taken from partly-filled 
sections—a holder for small pieces of comb (fig. 65) being 
furnished with some extractors for that purpose, as well as 
extracting from pieces when transferring. By its judicious 
use, many pounds of honey can be obtained that would not be 
completed in the sections by the bees. 
Empty combs in the spring are invaluable, and in the fall 
there are usually many surplus brood combs. By extracting 
