WAX. 



466 



WAX. 



above the cheese must be cleated, as shown 

 on the under side, to aid the wax and water 

 in running oil. 



With this press, since there is no heat 

 applied to the combs during the pressing, it 

 is well to do the work in warm weather, or 

 in some room that can be kept warm by the 

 heat of the stove used; for when the air is 



Fi^, 



13.— Style of unheated press preferred by the 

 authors. 



cold, or when the wind is blowing, the wax 

 has a tendency to become chilled, and the 

 work is hindered. In warm weather or in a 

 warm room there need be no chilling if the 

 work is properly done. It would be a good 

 plan to have all the apparatus arranged in 

 order— that is, have the press near the stove 

 and the large can for holding tlie hot water 

 and melted wax, as it comes from the press, 

 near both. An ordinary wash-boiler on the 

 stove may be used for melting up the combs; 

 or faster work can be done if there are two 

 such boilers, the second one being used for 

 heating fresh comb while that whicli has 

 already been melted in the first one is being 

 rendered. The press should stand as near 

 the boiler as possible to avoid the drip when 

 the melted comb is dipped from the boiler 

 into it. Cleats should be nailed outside of 

 the press platform. Fig. 16, to keep it from 

 twisting when the screw is turned, and two 



hinges should be screwed to the front edge, 

 as shown, in order to allow it to be tipped up 

 on edge when necessary, to let the wax and 

 water drain out. It is best to have the back 

 of the press a little higher than the front at 

 all times. 



To begin the work, pour about two pail- 

 fuls of water into the boiler and set it on the 

 stove. As this comes to a boil, keep adding 

 old comb, stirring frequently. As much as 

 half a barrel may be melted in one boiler at 

 a time, or even more if necessary; but it is 

 best not to have too much comb in proi)or- 

 tion to the water u.sed, since this plan is 

 essentially a washing-out process; and good 

 results, therefore, can not be secured when 

 there is not enough water. Keep stirring 

 the contents of the boiler until it has all been 

 heated through thoroughly and has boiled 

 until the wax has been reduced and the 

 melted comb is of the consistency of mush; 

 then push the boiler to the edge of the stove, 

 where it will keep hot, but where the wax 

 will not burn or become discolored from too 

 high a temiierature. IS'ext put the wooden 

 plug in tlie spout or tube at the bottom of 

 the wax-press can; and after putting folded- 

 up burlap and follower in the can, 611 it with 

 hot water. This is done to heat thoroughly 

 the press and all the parts that would come 

 in contact with the cheese, in order to pre- 

 vent unnecessary chilling. Then remove 



Fig-. 14.— Showing can slid forward on the platfcn-m 



and the burlap spread out ready for the 



melted comb. 



