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STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



DIVISION-BOARD FEEDER. 



BY rilOF. A. J. COOK. 



The requisites of a good feeder are: Cheapness, a form to admit quick 

 feeding, to permit no loss of heat, and so arranged that -sve can feed without 

 in any way disturbing the bees. The feeder (sec engraving) which I have used 

 ■with the best satisfaction, is a modified division-board, the top-bar of which 

 (J) is two inches wide. In the cut tlie lower part of the face of the can is 

 removed to show float, etc. From the u[)per central portion, beneath the top- 

 bar, a rectangular piece the size of an oyster-can is replaced with an oyster- 



e b 



can {g), after the top of the latter has been removed. A vertical piece of 

 wood {(1) is fitted into the can so as to separate a space about one inch squai'e, 

 on one side from the balance of the chamber. This piece does not reach quite 

 to the bottom of the can, there being a one-eighth inch space beneath. In 

 the top-bar there is an opening (e) just above the smaller space below. In the 

 large space is a wooden float (/) full of holes. On one side, opposite the lar- 

 ger chamber of the can, a half-inch piece of the top (c) is cut off, so that the 

 bees can pass between the can and top-bar on to the float, where they can sip 

 the feed. The feed is turned into the hole in the top-bar (e), and without 

 touching a bee, passes down under the vertical strip (d) and raises the float 

 (/). The can may be tacked to the board at the ends near the top. Two or 

 three tacks through the can into the vertical piece {d) will hold the latter 

 firmly in place ; or the top-bar may press on the vertical piece so that it cannot 

 move. Crowding a narrow piece of woolen cloth between the can and board, 

 and nailing a similar strip around the beveled edge of the division-board 

 makes all snug. One of our students suggests the name "Perfection," for 

 this feeder. The feeder is placed at the end of the brood-chamber and the 

 top-bar covered by the quilt. To feed we have only to fold the quilt over, 

 when with a tea-pot we pour the feed into the hole in the top-bar. If a honey 

 board is used, there must be a hole in this Just above the hole in the division- 

 board feeder. In either case, no bees can escape, the heat is confined, and 

 our division-board feeder is but little more expensive than a division-board 

 alone. 



The best time to feed is just at nightfall. In this case the feed will be 

 carried away before the next day, and the danger to weak colonies from rob- 

 bing is not so great. 



It will always pay richly to feed bees whenever they can gather no honey for 

 several days in succession. "We thus keep the queen active. 



