204 



WAX A BY-PRODUCT OF THE APIARY 



combs on which pressure is applied by means of a screw. The 

 melting wax falls into the water below and runs out the over- 

 flow spout (Fig. 101). 



Boiler Press. — There are different kinds of hot water presses 

 in use but in general they may be said to consist of a strong can 

 in which is contained a heavily bound basket. A bar across the 

 center supports the screw by means of which the pressure is 



applied. In this kind of extractor 

 the water comes up around the 

 melted combs which are under 

 pressure and the boiling and 

 pressing are carried on at the 

 same time. When the wax is all 

 out sufficient water is supplied to 

 carry it off through the tube near 

 the top, while the small amount 

 of refuse straining through the 

 cloth settles to tlie bottom of the 

 can. This plan gives good results 

 if carefully done but there is 

 some difficulty in getting all the 

 wax out of the can. 



There is no trouble about the 

 mass cooling while under pressure 

 and the operation can be repeated 

 as often as desired by simply loosening the screw and saturating 

 the cheese with water again. 



Bleaching Wax. — Every time the wax is melted the tendency 

 is to a lighter color and the exposure to the sun in the solar 

 extractor also tends to whiten it. Although sulfuric acid is 

 sometimes used for clarifying, there is seldom any occasion 

 for the bee-keeper to bother about bleaching further than to 

 re-melt any cakes of wax that are very dark and to remove as 

 much impurity as possible. The difference in price that will be 

 received will hardly pay for the extra trouble, however. 



Fig. 101. — Steam wax press. 



