80 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



February, 1918 



their equivalent. A cookstove would answer 

 the purpose just as well, altho, being higher, 

 it would not be quite so convenient. A large 

 dipper is also needed, and this can easily 

 be made by nailing a wooden handle to the 

 side of a 10-lb. pail. The burlap used for 

 holding the melted combs should be strong, 

 and without holes or weak places. The size 

 best suited for the purpose is 40 x 70 inches. 



After pouring in the boiler full of melted comb 

 fold over the sides of the burlap, with the edges 

 doubled, and pin with five large nails. 



Half a dozen pieces should be sufficient for 

 500 or 600 pounds of wax. Half a barrel 

 of water is needed. This can be used over 

 and over again for several days if desired. 

 If the barrel is kept covered up at night 

 the water will still be quite warm in the 

 morning, so it does not take so long to heat 

 up as at first. If the water is hard, it pays 

 to soften it with powdered borax, altho 

 rainwater is best. 



How to Proceed. 

 Fill two wash-boilers two-thirds full of 

 water and put them over the stove to heat. 

 When the w^ater in both boilers is boiling, 

 start putting combs into one, which I shall 

 call No. 1, two or three at a time, poking 

 them down in with a stick. Pour the boiling 

 water in No. 2 into the barrel and cover 



Once under the sere^\ns, and the pressure applied, 

 four boards are laid over the top of the can with 

 notches to fit around the screws. These help to 

 contine the heat. 



with an old piece of carpet to prevent loss 

 of heat; then fill No. 2 again two-thirds full 

 of cold water and put on the stove as before. 

 Continue putting the combs' into No. 1, pok- 

 ing each two or three down carefully. If 

 the combs are old and tough the boiler will 

 not hold more than 35 or 40. If the combs 

 happen to be fairly new, as many as 50 or 

 even 60 can be put in at a time on account 

 of the fact that there are fewer cocoons. 

 When all the combs are in, cover the boiler 

 by putting over it a few thin boards cleated 

 together. Do not attempt to start pressing 

 before the contents have come to a boil. 

 The mere fact that the comb seems to be 



After pinning the sides, fold over the ends of 

 the burlap and pin with twO' nails. As soon as the 

 follower is laid on the press can and its contents 

 are slid under the screws. Being hot, the can slides 

 as easily as tho it were on rolls. 



Likewise, when the can is ovei' the stove waiting 

 for the water to boil, the boards should be put on so 

 that the water will boil more quickly. 



melted and mushy is no indication that it is 

 hot enough. Stir occasionally; and when 

 the boiling commences, take the cover off 

 to prevent the wax and water from boiling 

 over. If it starts to boil over, stir it a 



