Page:Bee-Culture Hopkins 2nd ed revised Dec 1907.pdf/20



In Figs. 1 and 2 the letters refer to the same parts. A, A, iron strengthening-rod, with screw-nut; B, B, battens 2¼ in. wide by 1 in. thick, against which the boards of the tank are nailed; C, C, honey cut-off taps.

The illustrations, so far as the measurements are concerned, represent the tanks in use at the Government experimental apiaries, and, in whatever size may be considered desirable, something near the same proportions are advisable, and at most not more than 24 in. deep.

The following illustration represents one of Mr. Alexander's honey-tanks, which is portable, and holds something near 5,000 lb., but, as I said before, he considers its depth too great.



It has been suggested by experienced beekeepers that as the temperature frequently falls very low at night during the extracting season, causing the honey to partially crystallize prematurely in the tank, it would be advisable to adopt some means of keeping up the temperature on such occasions by artificial heat until the honey is matured, a suggestion I agree with. One of the modern oil-stoves would answer the purpose well, providing it does not cause a smell that would taint the honey, and the cost of heating would be very small.