1909 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



311 



where the wax will not burn or become discolor- 

 ed from too high a temperature. Next put the 

 wooden plug in the spout or tube at the bottom 

 of the wax-press can; and after putting the fold- 

 ed-up burlap and follower in the can, fill it with 

 hot water. This is done to heat thoroughly the 

 press and all the parts that would come in con- 

 tact with the cheese, in order to prevent unnec- 

 essary chilling. Then remove the wooden plug 

 and draw oti the water and pour it into the sec- 

 ond boiler on the stove, which, as before explain- 

 ed, should be used for melting up the second lot 

 of comb in case it is necessary to do rapid work. 

 Slide the can forward on the platform, as shown 

 in Fig. 2, and spread the piece of burlap over it. 

 Dip about one gallon of melted comb and water 

 into the press and fold the burlap neatly over it. 

 The wooden plug must be kept in the outlet tube 

 in order that the water and wax may not run out. 

 In dipping in the melted comb, do not use a 

 strainer or dipper with a wire-cloth bottom, for 

 the idea is to transfer plenty of water with the 

 comb in order to keep the wax from chilling, 

 and also to aid in washing it out. Use an ordi- 

 nary dipper, then, of pretty good size. The 

 square piece of burlap should be of such a size 

 that there will be plenty of room on top to keep 

 the slumgum from washing out; but, on the oth- 

 er hand, there should not be so much as to make 

 a great roll of useless cloth that will only be in 

 the way. A foot on each side to fold over is 

 enough. If this burlap be folded over as one 

 would fold paper in tying up a package, there is 

 no need of nails for keeping the edges together. 

 Place the cleated follower on top of the burlap 

 package of comb with the cleats running toward 

 the spout, then push the can back under the 

 screw. Apply the pressure slowly, turning the 

 screw down more and more as the wax and water 



FIG. 2. READY FOR THE .MELTED CO.VII 



FIG. 3. WOODEN COVERS IN POSITION TO KEEP 

 THE WAX ON TOP OF THE HOT WATER 

 FROM CHILLING. 



are pressed out of the comb. Enough water 

 should usually be transferred with the comb so 

 that the cast-iron follower will be completely 

 covered, when the screw is turned down about 

 half way. If not enough water has been dipped 

 into the can, more should be added; but usu- 

 ally enough water can be dipped in with the 

 combs so that no more will need to be put in. 

 Next, place the wooden covers in position over the 

 can. These will warp with the steam, but they 

 can be reversed occasionally in order to make a 

 good fit. These covers are used to kee^ away 

 the cold air and thus prevent the wax from chill- 

 ing. Keep turning the screw down slowly until 

 it has reached the limit. This should take about 

 two minutes. Then raise the screw about two 

 inches, and with a piece of bent wire pull up en 

 the rope handle of the wooden plunger until it 

 floats to the top, so that the hot water may again 

 saturate the contents of the burlap. In about 

 one minute's time apply the pressure again slow- 

 ly, until the limit has again been reached. Then 

 release the pressure as before, and, after this, turn 

 the screw down again for the last time. This 

 whole process of pressing will take about ten min- 

 utes in all. While the pressure is still on the 

 comb, remove the wooden covers from the can 

 and tip up the press, as shown in Fig. 4, so that 

 all the water and wax may run out into a small 

 tub or large pail on the floor under it. Leave the 

 press turned over for a few moments until all of 

 the water and wax drain out, and then tip it back 

 to its regular position. An old sack or piece of 

 carpet should be thrown across the top of the 



