THE VALUE OF BEESWAX. 255 



uniformly, through the whole sample; at other times I have seen 

 it somewhat of the appearance of old-fashioned mottle soap. Such 

 wax is in no way adulterated, but its commercial value is sadly 

 marred. If this discoloured wax be used for foundation comb 

 purposes, I do not think that the bees will reject it. Nevertheless, 

 it is very unsightly even for that purpose. The natural colour of wax 

 is of various yellow or orange shades. Oftentimes colouring matter 

 is used to imitate the natural colour — this deception, too, is de- 

 tectable by the experienced eye. Rendering wax in a galvanised- 

 iron vessel is answerable for a lot of discolouration. Wax, when 

 melted in a galvanised-iron vessel, has a more or less greenish tinge 

 with it. Copper vessels are the best for wax rendering. To 

 ordinary tin there is no objection, providing no acids have been 

 in the tin. Wax should at all times be extracted by means of 

 steam. Boiling water is detrimental. If appliances for extracting 

 wax by the agency of steam are not available, rain water is tne 

 next best material for the purpose. Spring water is too often 

 impregnated with lime or other chemicals. It is these mixing 

 with the wax that produces that grey spongy mixture seen under- 

 lying wax after it has cooled. 



MOULDING WAX. 



Almost any vessel is suitable for this purpose, providing it is 

 wider at the mouth than at the base. Glass or enamelware I find 

 to be the best. Wax, after it has been run into the mould and 

 exiled, is frequently found to be full of flaws. This is caused by 

 the molten material being permitted to cool too quickly. As soon 

 as the molten wax has been run into the mould it should be covered 

 over with an old bag or other material, and thus, cooling slowly, 

 these unsightly cracks or fissures will be avoided. 



OLD BLACK COMBS. 



Some old combs appear to be almost made up of cocoon cases 

 and other cast off material. There certainly is not the quantity 

 of wax to be obtained from these old combs as from the newer 

 ones. Still, while the process of wax rendering is in hand it will 

 pay "to gather up the fragments that nothing be lost.'' Before 

 putting these old black combs in the melting pot they should be 

 thoroughly soaked. Rain water will be found best for the pur- 

 pose, because it contains no mineral substances. 



