bee-keeper's manual. 341 



bees-wax how made. 



The nature of wax has already been discussed. My 

 object now is, to show the inexperienced bee-keeper, 

 how to make the article from the combs. The combs 

 are cut out of the hives, the honey secured ; and then 

 they are ready for the kettle. Break them in small 

 pieces, or press them into as small a compass as possible, 

 and put them into a woollen bag. Put the bag into the 

 kettle, or vessel of water that is to be set over the fire, 

 and with a flat stone, or some other weight, sink the bag 

 to the bottom. Boil the water about half an hour, then 

 take out the bag, and set the water aside to cool. The 

 wax will rise to the surface. The cake of wax on the 

 surface, if containing impurities, may be put into a clean 

 bag, and the second process over the fire, will render it 

 quite clean and pure, and by melting again in some con- 

 venient vessel, it may be turned into cups of any shape, 

 first greasing them a little, and when cool, the cakes will 

 come out without adhering in the least. 



