THE STEAM PRESS 203 



can then be drawn off and set aside for use if needed. The bur- 

 lap is then used to line the form and a quantity of the mass 

 from the boiler is poured into it. A large dipper is a good thing 

 for this purpose. The wax should not be strained before pressing 

 but water and all should go into the press. The ends of the 

 burlap are now turned over the mass so that it cannot escape 

 excepting as strained through the cloth. The cleated follower 

 is then placed on top of the cheese and the whole thing is set 

 in place under the screw. The screw is turned slowly down as 

 long as liquids can be squeezed from the " cheese." The water 

 and hot wax will run off together through the opening in the side 

 of the can. When no more wax is coming the screw can be re- 

 leased and the " cheese " doubled up and given another pressing. 



The " cheese " is then removed and thrown to one side and 

 another lot is pressed until all the combs have been rendered. 

 Usually it will be necessary to break up the " cheeses " that re- 

 main and boil them again, and again press them as in the begin- 

 ning to get all the wax. This second rendering will usually bring 

 a surprising amount of wax from material that appears to be 

 entirely free from it. Tests from various samples have shown 

 from ten to fifteen per cent of wax still in the slumgum. 



The Massachusetts Agricultural College has opened a wax 

 rendering station for the benefit of the bee-keepers of that State. 

 Bee-keepers are instructed to use a barrel for storage purposes 

 and as combs and bits of wax are thrown into the barrel to tamp 

 it down tight and when full to ship to the station for rendering. 

 If smaller quantities are to be shipped some smaller container 

 can be used. This station is proving to be very popular with the 

 bee-keepers of that State and large quantities of comb are being 

 shipped to the station. 



The Steam Press. — At one time steam wax presses were in 

 common use but they are generally being replaced by the method 

 previously described. The steam press is heated by steam gener- 

 ated from water in the bottom of the can. It will be necessary 

 to set the press on a hot stove or to make some provision for 

 heating the water. Above the water is a basket to hold the 



