The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1889-03-28
THE APIARY.
Hints for Honey Producers.

Mrs. Harrison, in the Prairie Farmer,
gives some of the ways in which she
takes time 10y the forelock." Of melt
ing wax she says:
like to do this kind of work when it
is too cool for bees to be upon the wing,
for, if they are flying, and smell the wax,
they will try and gain admittance through
the key-hose, or even down the Chin
ney. [ re-melt wax over pot of boiling
water, in pan. This pan should be
small enough to fit the inside Of the
kettle, and be held in place by the rim.
When it is melted, [ strain it through a
coffee strainer, into pint basins to cool.
[ melt out both ends of tin fruit can,
to hold the strainer while I pour the
wax. The strainer should be hot, and,
while not in use, should be set in the
oven. let the wax settle few mo-
ments, but before it begins to harden,
pour it into another pan, leaving the
dregs. The pans are all of the same
size, SO that the cakes will be of uni
form size.
Scrape off all bits of comb and propo-
lis, and, however black and dirty it may
be, empty it into an all -metal sieve; and,
when it is full, set it over pan half
full of water, and put it into the stove
oven.
If the water in the pot boils very hard,
it may run over, but if only moderate
fire is kept there will be no danger.
When the wax is all melted and run
down into the water. the residue in the
sieve can be scraped into the fire. 1t
makes such good kindling that some
times | scrape it into paper, roll it up
and keep it for kindling TO build fire
another time.
When the water in the pan is cold, a
nice cake of wax will be on top. I put
these cakes away until favorable time,
when I re-melt and cool in uniform
shape for the market.
Here is how she saves the odds and
ends Of honey:
Where much honey is handled, there
will be more or less that is not in good
marketable condition. Pieces that are
not capped will be graduated, while
others may be only partly filled. The
best way l have found to utilize such
honey is to melt it in pan over ket-
tie of boiling water. AS soon as it is
fairly melted, it should be set off to cool.
as heating honey too much Injuries it.
When cold the wax will be in liquid
cake on top of the honey. This honey,
although not as good as extracted honey.
can be used for many purposes, and fol
feeding bees in the spring.
Good pieces of honey can be sold as
chunk honey; the dry, untitled cells can
be scraped off, and that which is filled
and capped on one side, and has untitled
cells on the other, can be carefully
scraped Off, leaving only the base, with
its clearly defined septa of cells.
often fill cheap tin pals with such
pieces of honey, and sell pail and con-
tents. Such pieces Of honey require
very careful handling, and should be
lifted with the hands, SO that no cells
will be broken, as would necessarily be,
it a knife was used.
When the hives are cleaned out they
should be treated to coat of paint. j
prefer the lower hive to be paint ed
white with lead and oil, and the upper
story with red mineral paint. The roof
should receive special attention, espe-
cially if it is grooved, being made of
two pieces of boards. If the boys and
girls want to help, do not push them
away, but let EN- pitch in" There is
SO much work to be done in the world
that it is pity that all should not help
that want to.