774 



Journal of A'^riculitirc . 



[lo Dec, ipop- 



n 



coated with lii|iii(I w.ix whicii (dings t>) the filirous matfri.il of the cocoons, 

 and hut liitlc will ii>c tu the surfare when hoilt-d in a bag kept under 

 water. 



To obtain all the wax. or at least the maximum from old combs, 

 pressure is required — something of the nature of a cheese press. The- 

 press shown in the illustration is a stout wooden box securely bolted 

 together and lined with tin ; inside of this is a slatted grating and Ixjttom, 

 leaving a chamber of lo x lo inches ( i _' inches deep) into which an 

 ordinary sugar bag is inserted. The old comb is dissolved by boiling and 

 poured into the bag, the latter is then folded down, the press block put 

 on, and the screw gradually worked down. Water and wax escape by the- 

 outlet into a separating tank which retains the wax. but allows the surplus, 

 water to escape." 



There are se\"eral t\ P'es of wax ]}res.ses, 

 but one wood-slatted is preferable to a metal 

 one, as then no heat need be applied to the 

 press bod\ itself to overcome the chilling of 

 the wax in contact with metal. The amount 

 of wax obtained frc/m old black combs bv 

 means of a press, as com] )a red with the old 

 methods, is as 3 to i, while die time occupied' 

 is but one-tenth, and the wax obtained is readv 

 for market, if drawn (iff into suitable cooling 

 vessels. 



About 75 per cent, of the wax sold by 

 commission agents in Melliourne is depreciated' 

 in value through ha\"ing been wronglv treated 

 at the a])i,ir\. Wax should never be over- 

 heated, and it is therefore best alwavs to melt 

 it on water. Wax boiled in rust\' iron vessels, 

 has a dirt\ brown a]:)pearance ; contact with 

 galvanized iron or zinc turns it gre\'. Bright 

 tm or tinned ccjpper vessels are the onl\ ones 

 which do not atTect the colour and character 

 f)f the wa.x. E\-en the oldest comb will pro- 

 duct wax of a clear \ellow or orange colour 

 if proper! \ treated. 

 The size and shape of the blocks of wax also lea\es much to' be desired. 

 The moulds used by many producers are buckets, old milk dishes, kero- 

 .•«ene tins, wash tubs, &c., into which the wax has been poured and left 

 to set (]uickly in contact with the metal, instead of on liol watei-. 'I'h^ 

 result is that the dirt, which will pass through even the finest strainer, 

 ir, diffused all through the lower strata instead of being in a .separati- 

 layer which can be .scraped off. Qui(^k cooling also re.sults in unsightl) 

 cracks and clinging to the moulds, ^^^lx is ()ften s(Mit to market in bags', 

 and the fii)re and dust adhering to it still further spt.il its appearance. 

 Blocks or cakes should not lie larger tlian 20 lbs. ; loor 12 lbs., however, 

 is the be.st weight. There are many users of wax. such as saddlers, who 

 do not reciuire a large quantity, and who would buv direct at the agents 

 if they could get wax in suitable shape. Even tlu' wholesale buver will 

 rather pay a little niorc than re-melt, clean and remould. Better atten- 

 tion to the saving, proper handling, and marketing of beeswax would well 

 repay bee-keepers and add a considerabh^ amount to the total annual value- 

 of production. 



{To be coiitiii/icJ .) 



BEE.SWAX PRESS. 



