212 MONEY IN BEES IN AUSTRALASIA 



When all liquefied, withdraw the fire, and cover warmly 

 to retain the heat as long as possible, and to exclude dust. 



When the temperature of the wax has receded to 150° 

 F., the acid, by reason of its greater specific gravity, will 

 have settled to the bottom of the vessel. The clear wax 

 should then be carefully dipped into moulds with 

 "flared" — i.e., the top of greater size than the bottom — 

 sides, which have previously been smeared with 

 glycerine or painted Avith thin flour paste to prevent the 

 wax adhering. Stop dipping when any sediment shows, 

 and allow the remainder to set; when "caked" into a 

 block, it should be lifted out and the bottom scraped to 

 remove the dirt. This cake of wax should be held over 

 until the next lot is treated. When a steam plant is 

 available, a better article and more of it can be turned out 

 in a shorter time. 



EEPINING BEESWAX. 



Wax-cakes of all grades and colours — are placed in a 

 wooden vat or cask with the necessary amount of water 

 and sulphuric acid. Steam is turned on, and when the 

 wax is made liquid the steam pipe is withdrawn ; the vat 

 should then be closely covered and gradually allowed to 

 cool off. The acid, as mentioned above, will settle at the 

 bottom of the water, together with a great amount of 

 impurities precipitated by the action. The clear wax is 

 then drawn off — by gates conveniently situated — into 

 moulds; these are then placed in hot water so that they 

 cannot cool in less than seventeen or eighteen hours. 



Be very careful when handling all acids. The cakes 

 of wax should be moulded into suitable sizes; if it is 

 intended for retail disposal the cake should be in 1, 2 and 

 4 lb. blocks; if selling wholesale, 15 lb. blocks (four to a 

 kerosene case) are very convenient. If the apiarist 

 exhibits at shows, etc., small cakes at 6d. each are always 

 in great demand. 



