824 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Nov. 2, 1920. 



Where a patent cappings reducer is used, the wax is melted and separated 

 from the honey as the work of uncapping the combs proceeds. In this case, 

 when the blocks of wax so produced are cool, they should be put through a 

 refining process before being sent to market. Where no cappings reducer is 

 used, a wax extractor is useful for melting the wax from the strained cappings. 



Melting combs is considerably more difficult than the treatment of 

 cappings, but it pays to make a good job of it. AVhere large quantities are 

 to be done it is advisable to install a different plant to that which would 

 suffice for the apiarist in a small way. For the ordinary apiarist, or where a 

 small number of combs are to be melted annually, the plant required would 

 be a few kerosene-tin buckets, and a small wax press complete. A fair-sized 

 vat with a tap or gate at the bottom is also desirable, A good supply 

 of water should be available ; clean, fresh water of any description will do, 

 providing it is not mineralised. 



The procedure is as follows : — Stand the kerosene tins on bricks built up 

 about a foot, so that a fire can be built under the tins ; then a little over 

 half-fill the tins with water, and proceed to heat. Put in the tins sufficient 

 comb to make a free mush, and allow this to stand at about boiling point, 

 stirring occasionally until well melted up ; then pour a quantity into the 

 press, which has previously been kept warm and contains a straining cloth. 

 Small quantities of the melted mass, with a fair supply of the hot water, give 

 the best results. When a sufficient quantity is in the press, fold the straining- 

 cloth neatly over and apply the screw pressure gradually. After applying 

 the first pressure and allowing to stand for a time, ease the screw sufficiently 

 to allow the hot water to get over the slum gum ; then apply the pressure 

 again, leave the hard pressure on for a few minutes,, and tip the press 

 forward, draining the water and wax into a bucket, which is then emptied 

 into the vat. The slum gum is removed from the press and the remaining 

 quantities of melted comb treated. When the melted comb from the tins on 

 the fire has been treated, the hot water can be drained from the vat into the 

 melting tins again, and a start made with a fresh lot of comb. After com- 

 pletion of the day's work the wax can be drained from the vat into moulds, 

 which should be placed in warm water and covered to allow the necessary 

 slow cooling. To obtain a high grade wax, the blocks of wax from the 

 moulds when cool should be cleaned at the bottom, and then properly refined. 



A few hints for the operator: — (1) Do not allow the wax to boil over ; 

 (2) have convenient handles in the tins on the fire so that they can be lifted off 

 readily ; (3) have an extra tin of water on hand to douse the fire if necessary 

 (although there should be no trouble if care is taken) ; (i) soak very old combs 

 in water overnight to soften the cocoons so that they will not hold the wax. 



Melting Large Quantities. 

 Where large quantities are to be melted annually, the apiarist's outfit 

 should include a steam boiler and two fairly large wooden casks fitted with 

 taps — one cask with a tap near the bottom, and the other with two taps, one 

 near the bottom and another a little over a quarter-way up. Steam pipes 

 connect with the boiler and run into the casks. 



