As the water heats, the wax melts, and rises to
the surface, while all the impurities remain in the bag. It is well
to put a few pebbles in the bag, to keep it from floating. Honey may
be separated from the comb, by placing it in the hot sun, or before
the fire, with two or three colanders or sieves, each finer than the
other, under it.
* * * * *
SOAP.
In the city, I believe, it is better to exchange ashes and grease for
soap; but in the country, I am certain, it is good economy to make
one's own soap. If you burn wood, you can make your own lye; but the
ashes of coal is not worth much. Bore small holes in the bottom of a
barrel, place four bricks around, and fill the barrel with ashes. Wet
the ashes well, but not enough to drop; let it soak thus three or four
days; then pour a gallon of water in every hour or two, for a day or
more, and let it drop into a pail or tub beneath. Keep it dripping
till the color of the lye shows the strength is exhausted. If your
lye is not strong enough, you must fill your barrel with fresh ashes,
and let the lye run through it.
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