BEESWAX 211 



bottom compartment via the "lip" at 9. The whole can 

 (]) is then stood, on a stove, or a primus lamp is placed 

 underneath. As the water heats, steam rises through the 

 centre of the false bottom (3) and passes through the 

 comb, which melts, flows down and out of the wax tube 

 (10) into a mould. Of course the pressure plate (4) 

 would be at the top of the can when starting ; as the wax 

 ceases to flow the screw (6) is rotated so that the last 

 drop of wax is secured. Before putting in the comb it is 

 well to line the wire basket with straining cloth. 



When very old combs are to be treated the procedure 

 is varied a little. After twenty-four hours' soaking the 

 combs, etc., are melted in a boiler, or if steam is avail- 

 able, in a wooden cask, close to the press. "When all 

 liquefied it should be dipped out with plenty of hot water 

 into the cloth-lined wire basket; the cover (2) and cross- 

 bar (8) are then replaced and secured firmly by thumb- 

 screws (7). The handle is then turned "to apply pressure 

 imtil the refuse (or slumgum) is consolidated into a 

 compact dry cake. The thinner this cake of refuse the 

 more wax will be secured. The wax and hot water will 

 flow out at the pipe (10) where a can should be provided 

 to hold it. If this vessel has a tap at the bottom, the hot 

 water may be drawn off and poured back into the boiler 

 as the work is continued. When the wax has set into 

 a cake it is lifted out, and if a high grade is desired it 

 should be again treated. 



To secure a high grade article wax should be melted 

 in wooden vessels, but this, of course, entails the use of 

 steam, and the small operator would not be justified in 

 getting a steam plant. The small man can turn out good 

 clear wax by using tin cans, or an iron boiler. Rub over 

 the inside of the cans or boiler before starting with suet, 

 and pour in the requisite amount of rain water, adding 

 1 tablespoon of sulphuric acid to each gallon. When the 

 water is near boiling point, put in the cakes of wax, and 

 watch that it does not boil when melted ; stir occasionally. 



