EXTRACTION OF BEESWAX 
BY F. C. ALFORD 
The increasing interest in apicnltnre in many sections of the State, 
and* the frequent inquiries relative to the best method of extracting the 
waXy justify the preparation of this bulletin. 
The combs used for the extraction of wax are usually old brood 
combs. These, of course, contain a large amount of foreign matter 
which renders the complete extraction of the wax very difficult, and re¬ 
sults in forming a residue, known as slumgum. 
Some of the methods in vogue at present have been practiced for a 
long time, others are of comparatively recent origin. Though I have 
sought for data, definitely established by experiments, regarding the 
relative efficiency of the different methods, I have been unable to find 
such, and have therefore attempted to establish the efficiency of some of 
the methods by experiments. 
The classes of extractors experimented with include the solar, ex¬ 
tractors, those using steam, and those employing pressure under water 
at a temperature sufficiently high to melt the wax. We have experi¬ 
mented with the latter, using water alone, and also with the addition of 
sulphuric acid. 
All experiments in extracting the wax were made with portions of 
one large lot of comb, and under comparable conditions. In those cases 
in which specific instructions were sent out by the manufacturers of the 
extractor, they were followed faithfully. 
The study of this subject was extended to include the refining and 
bleaching of the wax, and also to include an indicator to find out some¬ 
thing definite relative to the character and wax content of slumgum. 
In all of this work we have been mindfu^of the suggestions and 
theories advanced by apiculturists during recent years, which was, of 
course, necessary in order to bring our work abreast with that of the Bee • 
keepers^ Associations and individuals. I have profited b}^ the suggestions 
of some of the prominent refiners of and dealers in beeswax who kindly 
answered my inquiries addressed to them, but in general I have found 
^formation regarding the extraction of beeswax very scarce, at least it 
is very difficult to obtain. 
The General Properties of Beeswax. Beeswax, when obtained from 
clean, fresh comb, is a tough, compact solid, having a yellowish or 
brownish color, a fine granular structure and a very little luster. Its 
taste is faint and balsamic, but the odor is honey-like and characteristic. 
Beeswax does not feel greasy to the touch. It loses is color, bleaches, 
when exposed to the action of moisture and light, some varieties with 
