PURE BEESWAX. 



389 



688. At the present day, nearly every section (731) of 

 comb-honey that is sold, has been built on such foundation. 

 The daintiest and most fastidious ladies can have no objection 

 to it, and on visiting a well-managed foundation shop, they 

 declare that the tender sheets are "nice enough to eat.'' 



689. To prepare the wax sheets, use soft wood boards 

 % of an inch thick, bathed in tepid water. They are wiped 

 with a sponge, and dipped in melted wax, two or three times. 

 The lower part of the board is then dipped in cold water, 

 when it is turned bottom side up, and the other end is treated 

 in the same manner. After the board has been put in water 



Fig. 146. 



FOUNDATION IN SECTIONS. 



to cool for a little while, it is taken out ; its edges are trimmed 

 with a sharp knife, and the two sheets of wax are peeled 

 off. If the sheets are intended for heavy foundation, twice 

 as many dips are necessary. The wax should be liquid but 

 not hot. If it is too hot, the sheets will crack. To secure 

 rapid work, you must have a room arranged purposely for 

 the dippers, with a zinc or tin floor to catch the drips of 

 water and wax. 



690. The sheet wax, after a few days' cooling in a dry 

 cellar, is tempered, in the moulding tank with warm water, 

 and run through the rollers. The latter are lubricated with 

 starch, or soapsuds. When soapsuds are used, it is very im- 

 portant that the sheets be pressed so tightly in the rollers, as 



