134 HOW TO KEEP BEES 



REFINING WAX WITH SULPHURIC ACID 



On a small scale this may be done in an agate 

 or porcelain-lined kettle. Mr. Root even advises 

 on occasion the use of a large iron kettle. The 

 kettle is filled half full of water, 100 parts to one part 

 acid, and is brought nearly to the boiling point over 

 a slow fire; the wax is then added and is kept hot 

 for a little time after it is melted, and then the fire is 

 allowed to die down; as soon as it is cool enough so 

 that the dirt has settled, the wax is dipped off, great 

 care being taken not to stir up the settlings. If an 

 iron kettle is used it should afterward be thoroughly 

 washed with boiling water, and rubbed with fresh 

 lard or some other unsalted grease to stop the action 

 of the acid upon it. Beeswax may be bleached by 

 exposing it in thin sheets to the sunlight. 



ADULTERATED BEESWAX 



Dishonest dealers have attempted to adulterate 

 beeswax with several substances; tallow, paraffine 

 and cerasin being more commonly used. Tallow 

 or other greasy adulterants may be detected by the 

 smell; and because the cakes of wax containing them 

 feel and look greasy. But paraffine and cerasin are 

 not so easily detected by the eye or feel. The 

 specific gravity test is the one used by dealers. A 

 piece of wax known to be pure is placed in a jar of 

 water, and enough alcohol is added so that the wax 

 will just settle to the bottom. Then a piece of the 

 suspected wax is placed in the jar, and if it contains 



