Roger and Ann Clapham, beekeepers from Abbotsford, British Columbia have for about 20 years been producing a furniture polish based on beeswax (based I think on a recipe from their family in Britain). A year or two ago they concluded a marketing agreement with the Smithsonian Institute. My impression of the agreement is that the Smithsonian had tested the wax polish and found it superior to others available, and contacted the Clapham's for the marketing arrangement. I think the product is available in the Smitsonian gift shop (as well as from the source, and various other outlets in B.C.). Although the logic in the previous post, about lemon (or banana) oil being superior, seems reasonable, why would the Smithsonian go to the trouble to seek out (and promote) a beeswax base product, if lemon oil was adequate? Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist B.C. Ministry of Agriculture 1201 103 Ave Dawson Creek B.C. V1G 4J2 CANADA Tel (604) 784-2225 fax (604) 784-2299 INTERNET [log in to unmask]