GLBAJJINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



Fig. 5. — Applying the pressure. The wax rises 

 to the top of the water. As much time may be given 

 to the pressing as desired — no danger of chilling, 

 because of the jet of steam. 



stirrings until the contents of the boiler is 

 reduced to a steaming mushy mass. There 

 must be no lumps or hard chunks. 



When the contents of the first boiler is 

 ready for pressing and the steam begins to 

 issue from the pipe in the bottom of the 

 press-can, pull the can forward on the plat- 

 form, holding it in position by means of the 

 spider on the lower end of the screw resting 

 on the top of the can, as in Fig. 3. Have 

 ready a few pieces of good strong burlap, 

 at least 40 inches square. Place one of 

 these in the press-can; put the follower on 

 top of it and throw a few dipperfuls of hot 

 wafer from the other boiler into the can to 

 heat thoroly all the parts. Pour this off 

 and spread the burlap down into the can as 

 in Fig. 4. Dip about two gallons of the 

 melted comb and water into the press and 

 fold the burlap neatly over it, as carefully 

 as tho you were tying up a package. This 

 is very important; for if there are thick 

 rolls of the cloth in any one part of the 

 " cheese," other parts of the refuse will not 

 receive as much pressure as needed. To 

 fold the burlap over, fold the back edge 

 over toward the front, being careful to get 

 the sides straight, then push the front edge 

 over on top of it; lastly, fold in the sides 

 neatly. Place the eleated circular follower 

 in position (down of course) ; push the can 

 back exactly in the center of the platform, 

 and run the screw down very slowly — Fig. 

 5. 



At this time it may be necessary to turn 



down the gasoline-burners under the first 

 boiler in order that the contents may not 

 get too hot ; or, if it is on a stove, pull it 

 over to the edge. Always use the utmost 

 care to prevent the wax from slopping over. 

 If it does, there is danger of having a seri- 

 ous fire. As soon as the water in the second 

 boiler begins to boil, begin filling that with 

 combs. 



Always turn the screw down slowly. If 

 it is run down rapidly before the liquid in 

 the mass inside the burlap has time to 

 squeeze out, the burlap and the contents 

 in.side are likely to squash up around the 

 follower, interfering seriously with the es- 

 cape of the water and wax. Turn the screw 

 only when it turns easily. Of course, when 

 it is clear down it may be turned tight; but 

 there is really more danger in aj^plying too 

 much pressure than in not applying enough. 



Sufficient water should have been dipped 

 in with the comb so that the water and wax 

 when the screw is clear down will just about 

 submerge the iron spider on the end of the 

 screw. It ought to take two or three min- 

 utes to get the screw clear down. When it 

 is down about as far as it Avill go, release 

 the pressure until the east-iron follower is 

 nearly out of the liquid; pull up on the 

 rope handle of the wooden follower until it 

 is free from the burlap, thus allowing the 

 hot water to saturate the refuse again. 

 After a minute or so apply the pressure 

 slowly once more. This process should be 

 repeated two or three times. 



When the screw is finally down as far as 

 it will go, place a wash-tub or a large can on 

 the floor in front of the press and tip the 



Fig. 6. — When the pressing proce.ss is completed 

 the whole outfit is tipped up on its hinges to pour 

 off the hot water and wax. 



