276 BEE MANIPULATION. [Ch. V. 



off the dross as fast as it appears, and then pour the 

 whole again into the greased pan, and, after letting it 

 cool slowly, scrape off the settlings. The above is in 

 the main Mr. Cheshire's method. Another is that of 

 Mr. Payne, who would pour the original boil into a 

 canvas bag of about a quart, which should be laid on an 

 inclined board in a tub, with cold water in it below the 

 reach of the bag ; then, applying the roller, the wax is 

 all expressed at one process, and may be collected on 

 the water and boiled again as before. The operation 

 must be carried on where the bees will not be able to 

 get admittance, or the odour will bring them in great 

 numbers. 



Virgin comb, being free from cocoons or other rubbish, 

 will not require the squeezing process, but may simply 

 be melted into the pan, gradually cooled, and melted 

 again. If the cooling is artificially delayed the wax will 

 be all the clearer. If bleaching is desired, melt it again 

 and pour it out so as to form thin streams or plates, and 

 then lay these for a few days in the sun ; take care 

 however that they are not melted. 



§ XVIII. WEIGHING HIVES. 

 One of the most effectual modes of ascertaining the 

 condition of a hive is by weighing it. Such knowledge 

 is most important at the close of the gathering season, 

 in order that the bee-keeper may determine whether he 

 ought to give his bees artificial food to enable them to 



