1 Fes., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 143 
WAX-EXTRACTING. 
Ty every well-managed apiary, whether large or small, provision should always 
be made for collecting every scrap of old and discarded comb and bits of 
foundation, to be converted into wax at the close of the season when the 
general take has been made. Any old close-fitting box is handy for this pur- 
pose, and it will surprise anyone to see the quantity of these scraps that can 
be gathered during a single season. Good clean beeswax always finds a ready 
sale. Of the different kinds of wax-extractors in the market very few are 
suited for the purpose; they are either too slow or too expensive. Wax- 
extracting is such a messing job that it is best done right off, using as few of 
the kitchen utensils as possible if one wishes to avoid getting into trouble with 
those in charge of that department. Perhaps the simplest, best, and readiest 
method of rendering wax is with the wash-house boiler. Half. fill the boiler 
with clean rain water, and to every five gallons add one tablespoonful of 
sulphuric acid (vitriol) ; this separates the wax from certain impurities, and 
imparts to ita rich colour. Collect all the combs and press them firmly into 
a clean empty sugar bag, of a size sufficient to get inside the boiler, and tie the 
same firmly. Place a milk plate or other dish in the bottom of the boiler 
before the bag of comb is put in, so as to prevent it catching to the bottom and 
so get burned. The bag should now be held by some means under the surface of 
the water. As the water boils the wax will ooze out of the bag and float on the 
surface, where it can be ladled into a dish or allowed to cool in the boiler, and 
lifted off in one sheet of wax. All the refuse and dross is kept inside the bag, 
which may now be lifted out and thrown away. A second melting of the wax 
is required to make it marketable ; thus, procure an old tin can or pail, and 
into this put the wax with a little water at the bottom. Place this can inside 
of the boiler—glue-pot fashion—with sufficient water only to cover the can 
about two-thirds. As the water gets heated the wax will melt in the can, 
when it can be lifted out and poured through a piece of cheese-cloth into any 
dish and allowed to cool slowly. The result is a cake of nice clean wax. 
Where the apiary is of any size it is best to have dishes made and kept entirely 
separate for this branch of beekeeping. A very useful and cheap wax-extractor 
can be made from an old five or six gallon iron drum, by cutting off one end 
and attaching to it a strong handle to hang over the fire. Combs are put into 
this the same way as already described, without messing other dishes that are 
in daily use.— Agricultural Gazette. 
