APPLIANCES. 



35 



Steam Wax-extractor. 



extractors on the market which work more or less on the same 

 principle. An ordinary steam one (made by Mr. W. P. Meadows, 

 of Syston, Leicester), which is shown here, will almost explain 

 itself. The upper part is a perforated basket to receive the 

 pieces of comb which are to be 

 melted ; the boiler has to be stood 

 on the fire, like an ordinary sauce- 

 pan, when about half full of water ; 

 then the steam from this passes 

 through the basket and melts the 

 wax, which runs out of the spout 

 that is shown at the left-hand 

 side of the illustration. The price 

 of this extractor is about half-a- 

 guinea ; whilst a small one for 

 cottagers can be purchased for 

 about 3s. Another very service- 

 able one is that known as the 

 "Solar Wax-extractor" (made by 

 J. Lee & Son, 10, Silver Street, 

 High Holborn, W.C), and some persons prefer it to any other. 

 It certainly does its work excellently ; but, as the name shows, 

 it can be used only when the sun is shining. The cost is some- 

 what more than the other, though a substantially made one 

 should not be more than 15s., and some appliance makers do 

 not charge so much. Cappings of combs melted by means of 

 this extractor produce wax of an exceedingly beautiful colour, 

 and it is well worth the trouble to keep such wax until there 

 is sufficient to send it to one of the important shows where 

 prizes are offered for wax of first-class quality. 



For melting a small quantity of comb several kitchen utensils 

 may be requisitioned. For instance, a 

 potato steamer, with some water in the 

 boiler, and a piece of perforated zinc cut 

 round in the upper part, acts perfectly 

 when placed in an oven not too hot. 

 Again, the pieces of wax can be tied in 

 a bag made of very coarse calico, which 

 should be kept under water by means of 

 weights ; then as the water reaches the 

 necessary temperature the globules of 

 wax will rise to the surface, and when 

 it is cool the cake of whk can be taken 

 off the water. 



Solar Wax-extractor. 



58. Queen and Drone Hxcluder, — This is sheet zinc 

 perforated with oblong holes of a size that workers can pass 

 through, but not large enough for queens or drones — in fact, 



