882 
WAX 
the pressure with the press on the stove, 
and at the same time provides a stable 
foundation for the press while the screws 
are being turned down. 
THE EQUIPMENT NEEDED. 
There should be three tin wash-boilers, 
a water-tight barrel with a one-inch auger- 
hole close to the bottom containing a well¬ 
fitting plug, and two two-burner gasoline- 
stoves or their equivalent. A cook stove 
would answer the purpose just as well, 
altho, being higher, it would not be quite 
so convenient. A large dipper is also 
needed, and this can easily be made by 
nailing a wooden handle to the side of a 
10-lb. pail. The burlap used for holding 
the melted combs should be strong, and 
without holes or weak places. The size 
best suited for the purpose is 40 x 70 
inches. Half a dozen pieces should be 
sufficient for 500 or 600 pounds of wax. 
Half a barrel of water is needed. This can 
be used over and over again for several 
days if desired. If the barrel is kept cov¬ 
ered up at night the water will still be 
quite warm in the morning, so it does not 
take so long to heat up as at first. If the 
water is hard, it pays to soften it with 
powdered borax, altho rainwater is best. 
HOW TO PROCEED. 
Fill two wash-boilers two-thirds full of 
water and put them over the stove to heat. 
When the water in both boilers is boiling, 
start putting combs into one, which will be 
called No. 1, two or three at a time, poking 
them down in with a stick. Pour the boil¬ 
ing water in No. 2 into the barrel and 
cover with an old piece of carpet to pre¬ 
vent loss of heat;'then fill No. 2 again two- 
thirds full of cold water and put on the 
stove as before. Continue putting the 
combs into No. 1, poking each two or three 
down carefully. If the combs happen to 
be fairly n§w, as many as 50 or even 60 can 
be put in at a time on account of the fact 
that there are fewer cocoons. When all the 
combs are in, cover the boiler by putting 
over it a few thin boards cleated together. 
Do not attempt to start pressing before 
the contents have come to a boil. The mere 
fact that the comb seems to be melted and 
mushy is no indication that it is hot 
enough, Stir occasionally; and when the 
boiling commences, take the cover off to 
prevent the wax and water from boiling 
over. If it starts to boil over, stir it a 
little with a stick; or,, in an emergency, 
lift it off the fire altogether. Usually, 
however, this is not necessary. 
Put the cleated follower into the press- 
can ; push the can under the press and 
turn the screws down. Draw off a couple 
of pails of hot water from the barrel and 
pour into the can so as to heat thoroly 
every part. Take boiler No. 2 (containing 
water only) off the stove and put the 
stove in a position in line with the press 
and eight or nine inches from it. Draw off 
the water in the press-can; pour it back 
into the barrel, close the gate on the end of 
the can, and, after raising the screws, draw 
the can out over the stove. There will be 
Fig. 16.—After folding over and pinning the sides 
with five large nails, fold over the ends of the 
burlap and pin with two nails. As soon as the 
follower is laid on, the press-can and its contents 
are slid under the screws. Being hot, the can 
slides as easily as tho it were on rolls. 
enough water in the bottom to prevent 
burning. Take out the upper follower; 
spread a piece of burlap evenly over the 
can, tucking it down into the corners, and 
dip about half the melted combs in boiler 
No. 1 into the burlap. Then pick up the 
whole boiler and pour in the rest. If there 
is a great wad of wires, as there will be if 
the frames were wired originally, pull these 
apart Avith a stick enough so that they will 
not all be in one place. Fold over the 
sides of the burlap, pulling over enough so 
that the mass is perhaps two inches away 
from the edge of the can, and pin with 
five large nails; then fold over the ends 
and pin with a couple of nails. It is bet¬ 
ter to double the edges so the tiqils will not 
