534 



BEESWAX AND ITS USES. 



beeswax. A French wax-bleacher devised a kettle, Fig. 227, 

 described in the American Bee Journal, which permits of 

 stirring the combs while they are held under water. In this 

 way the wax is permitted to escape. To make it still more 

 easy for the wax to come to the surface they use salt water, 

 which is heavier than ordinary rain water and its greater 

 density causes the wax to float more readily. 



But the ultimate method for getting all the wax out of the 

 "slum-gum'' or residues is the use of a press. The German 



Fig. 229. 



HERSHISER WAX PRESS 



press. Fig. 228, does good work, if not too great a quantity of 

 residue is rendered at one time. Mr. Hershiser of Buffalo has 

 devised a press, Fig. 239, in which he uses screens between 

 several layers of comb wrapped in burlap. These screens 

 allow the wax to escape from the center of the mass, much on 

 the same plan as the large cider presses of Illinois, in which the 

 apple cheese is separated by cloth in a dozen different layers. 

 The different presses must be used over steam or water, so as to 

 keep the mass hot all the time. 



