A simple way of making wax moulds for plaster castings is the following. Mix together 3 parts of resin and 1 of beeswax by the aid of heat. Stir occasionally, to prevent the resin settling at the bottom of the pan. To ascertain whether the mixture is ready for pouring, dip the finger in cold water and then into the melted wax. If it can be held there for half a minute without any painful feeling, the wax is just right for pouring upon a plaster model, providing it is not too cold to run freely. If the pattern be a ceiling flower, fixed on a plaster plate ready for moulding, place it in water for about fifteen minutes; the)i take it out, and clear all superfluous water from the surface. Put a fence or wall of clay around it about 1 in. higher than the pattern, and then pour the wax upon the lowest part until it rises about | in. above the pattern. If the model is a fiat one, that is all that is required. Remove the wax from the model when cold. This is easily done if the model is placed in cold water. The mould is oiled with sweet oil once only during a day's work. For fine white plaster use Gallipoli oil: for new wax wash the mould with clear water after oiling it; for old wax dissolve a very small quantity of soft-soap in warm water, and with this wash the mould after oiling it.

This will prevent any discoloration of the first casts from the mould. Holes and hollows will appear in the casts if the plaster is too thick to run into all parts. It should, when mixed, be no thicker than cream; and a good plan is to sprinkle the mould over with water; then brush the plaster well into every part, and fill out to the thickness required. Level the top edges, and place the mould in water for twenty minutes; then the casts can be taken out.