230 THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW 



of the follower and come up about an inch on the sides and covered 

 by a wooden hoop j'4"x2" to keep it from '"raveling."' The fol- 

 lower should have a little play, 54'' or so. A simpler follower 

 might do, but this one is so open it lets all the wax rise to the 

 surface easily and quickly, and that is quite an item in a press. 



I put a spider screw foot from a Hatch press on, as the foot 

 with the screw was rather small. I wired the follower and foot 

 together and it does very well. Bolting might be better, but do 

 not leave it loose. I have not given all the dimensions, as they will 

 vary with different size screws and lengths. My screw raises and 

 lowers 11^" and a can could be 11^'' or IS" deep for it, as the 

 slatted bottom and "cheese" of slum gum would take up nearly two 

 inches. My can is 10" deep and could be deeper to advantage. 

 The press is 18" from floor to cross arm, leaving Gi^" for follower 

 and bottom in can. 



The can should be made with a handle at the back and spout 

 in front. The spout on my can is too small. It needs a h\g one. 

 In the picture the spout is at the back of press by mistake. The 

 picture shows the floor long behind, to pull can back clear of fol- 

 lower while filling. In front it comes to the edge of the can. 



The tank is^nade of 1^4 ''xl8'' lumber, 28"''xri' 3" outside, the 

 size of four sheets 20"x28" tin. The tin should be heavy grade, 

 dull roofing tin — the bright rusts too easy. The tin cost me 80 

 cents, the lumber 70 cents. Four straps and four rods to hold the 

 ends together cost about one dollar. I thought tin would be better 

 than galvanized iron on account of coloring the wax, but haA^e 

 found that it makes little difference, as the wax, after being boiled 

 in the dirty water, is dark. 



I put a partition about one-third distant from one end wath a 

 one-inch space at bottom to provide a place clear of slum gum to 

 rinse frames after boiling. But one day when it came out I did 

 not miss it much. The tank sets on a rock and mud furnace, with 

 cross bars to strengthen the bottom. 



I first boil out the hive bodies and covers while the water is 

 clean, then put in a dozen or so frames at a time, and punch them 

 down until cleaned, then with a pair of horsehide gloves on, I 

 souse two or three at a time where the water is clearest of wax 

 until clean, and so on until twenty-five to thirty-five have been 

 cleaned, which number generally makes a press full of slumgum, 

 depending, of course, upon the amount of brood that has been 

 raised in the combs. I use two jute bags, one inside the other, to 

 hold the slumgum, which I skim off the water with a five-gallon 

 can and pour into the sacks held in the can by spring clothes pins 

 or the helper. Get all the wax and slumgum possible, as there will 

 be enough water, if not too much. Then tie sacks well, slide the 



