Page:Bee-Culture Hopkins 2nd ed revised Dec 1907.pdf/16



The instrument is made with various scales, according to the density of the liquid to test which it is required.

Each degree is equal to 5 degrees specific gravity; for example, 80 degrees Twaddel is equal to 1.400 sp. g. as 80 × 5 = 400 + 1000 = 1.400 sp. g.

The washings of cappings (when there are any), the skimmings and washings of the tanks, honey-extractors, &c., broken honey-combs, and other odds and ends of honey need not be wasted; all can be utilised in the making of vinegar or mead, or both. A hydrometer comes in very useful here again to test the strength of the liquid. For vinegar there should not be more than 1¼ lb. of honey to each gallon of water, the specific gravity of which is 1.040, so that when the honey cannot be weighed the hydrometer will at once show whether the strength is right, instead of depending on guesswork.

This subject has caused no end of controversy in the bee journals, but chiefly by those bitterly opposed to any other method of ripening honey