The solar wax extractor can be used during four or five months of the year in the more northern States, and for a longer time in the South. To render wax at other times steam heat is best. When available a jet from a boiler may be connected with a barrel or vessel containing the combs and a large amount rendered in a short time. In smaller apiaries a steam extractor for use over a boiler on the stove may be employed (fig. 30). The manner of using these extractors is simple. The cappings and bits of comb to be rendered are placed in an inside basket made of perforated metal. Upon placing this over a water boiler, into which it tits closely, the steam rises through holes in the bottom of the upper can and readily penetrates the mass. The melted wax runs out through a spout at the lower edge of the upper can and is caught in a pan partly filled with warm water. As fast as the mass in the perforated can settles away more bits of comb are added. The dark residue remaining is composed of cocoons, pollen, and accidental impurities. These may, however, contain considerable wax which they have absorbed as it melted. This waste may be avoided in a great measure if the combs are broken up and soaked in rain water for twenty-four hours before melting. Cakes of wax, if designed for the comb-foundation manufacturer, will be acceptable just as they come from the wax extractor, but if for the general market they should all be remelted in order to purify them. This must be done with care or the wax will be seriously injured. Iron vessels will discolor it, and as well or spring water frequently contains iron, the use of rain water, whenever it is to come in contact with the melted wax, will be found more desirable. It is best to melt the wax slowly, for if heated too rapidly the particles become disaggregated and take up a certain quantity of water, the mass loses its luster, and becomes pale and granular. In this condition its market value is low. Remelting slowly, especially in a solar wax extractor, will restore it. These difficulties in purifying wax may be avoided if it is melted in a tin or copper vessel and in a water bath, that is, the melter is to stand within a larger vessel containing sufficient water to surround the former. As much wax as possible should be melted at one time, and when convenient the inner can is left standing in the water, so that the wax remains liquid some time, permitting the impurities to settle. These may be shaved from the bottom of the cake and remelted if they contain much wax. CHAPTER IX. =REARING AND INTRODUCING QUEENS.=