498 BEESWAX AND ITS USES. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



Beeswax, aud its Uses. 



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 (803) 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 larvse (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 



