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set in a cake, when it can be lilted off. When all the wax has been 

 extracted the dross is removed from the basket and the process repeated. 

 As the water boils away very rapidly it will be necessary to replace 

 it from time to time ; by means of the funnel (/) this can be done 

 without removing the appliance from the fire. 



Cappings from the shallow combs, when cut off for 

 extracting the honey, can also be melted in the same 

 manner. Before putting them in the basket, however, they 

 should be drained free from honey, well washed in rain 

 water, and dried in the sun. 



A cheaper form of wax extractor is shown in Fig. 4. This 

 is made on similar lines to the Gerster, but the cost is 

 reduced by omitting the central cone-shaped tube; in all 

 other respects it is identical. As steam is not admitted 

 into the centre of the perforated wire basket, the operation 

 of extraction is prolonged. 



Boiling Water. — To extract wax by means of boiling water, 

 the material should be tied in a bag made of porous fabric, 

 such as cheese straining cloth, and stood on laths .of wood 

 placed across the bottom of a copper or saucepan, so that 

 the bag does not touch the bottom. The bag should be 

 weighted with a stone, and water then poured in until it 

 flows above the bag. The water should then be boiled very 

 gently. The melted wax will percolate through the bag 

 and float on the water, and when cold it can be lifted oS 

 in a solid cake. A little dross will be found on the bottom 

 of the cake, but this can be removed by scraping. If a 

 well-cleansed sample is desired, the cake should be remelted 

 in a similar manner, and cooled slowly. Eain water must 

 be used in methods 2 and 3, as hard water contains Hme, 

 which would spoil the texture and colour of the wax. More 

 wax will be obtained if pressure is applied to the bag while 

 boiling, and in the case of old combs, if these are well soaked 

 in water previously to melting. 



The Heat of the Oven.— If only a small quantity of wax is 

 to be dealt with, it may be placed on a piece of perforated 

 zinc over a bowl of rain water, and put in the oven. The 

 wax will melt and drop through the perforated zinc into the 

 water; the impurities will remain on the zinc and can be 

 thrown away. The bowl is then taken out of the oven and 

 the water and wax allowed to cool, when the latter will 

 have set in a cake and can be lifted ofi. 



Characteristics of Pure Wax. — The melting point of pure 

 beeswax is between 63° and 64° C, which is higher 

 than that of any other wax. The colour, which varies from 

 pale primrose to orange red, depends to a great extent upon 

 the variety of pollen consumed by the bees. It is a curious 

 fact that dark honey produces a light wax, while light honey 

 yields one of a darker hue. 



For commercial purposes the lightest coloured wax 

 commands the best price, and therefore, before extracting. 



