498 BEESWAX AND ITS USES. 
CHAPTER XXI. 
Beeswax, AND ITs Usgs. 
Melting Wax. 
858. We will now describe the different processes used 
by bee-keepers to render the combs into wax. To melt 
every comb, or piece of comb, as it is taken from the hive, 
would increase the work, and, as it is preferable to choose 
our time for this operation, we have to preserve them from 
the ravages of the moths (802) by some of the methods 
that we have given (812). 
859. The cappings (772) after extracting (775), are 
allowed to drain in a warm place for several weeks; very 
nice honey being obtained from them. They are then 
washed in hot water, and the sweet water obtained can be 
used for cider, or wine, or vinegar (856). These cap- 
pings, as well as the broken pieces of white comb in which 
brood was never raised, should be melted apart from the 
darker combs, for, not only are they easier to melt, but, the 
wax obtained being very bright in color, is unsurpassed for 
making comb-foundation (674) for surplus boxes (688). 
860. When the combs are blackened by the dejections 
of the worker bees (784), or of the drones (40), and by 
the skins and cocoons of the larve (167), it is so difficult 
to render the wax, that many bee-keepers think it is not 
worth the trouble. We advise washing these combs and 
keeping them under water for about twenty-four hours. 
Then the cocoons and other refuse being thoroughly wet 
and partly dissolved, will not adhere to the wax. This 
will be lighter colored, if the combs are melted with 
