478 



Journal of Agriculture , Victoria. [lo July, 1911. 



food of bees, should not now be given them, as it excites them too much ; 

 there is also a risk of introducing the germs of brood diseases which may 

 be present in honey of unknown origin. Sugar syrup is much more suit- 

 able for feeding bees while in a semi-dormant state. 



This syrup is made of two parts (by weight) of lA sugar and one 

 part water. The water is brought to boiling point and the sugar added, 



I. SIMPLICITY FEEDER. 



keeping the vessel on the fire and stirring continuously till the liquid is 

 perfectly clear. On no account should the syrup be left on the stove or 

 fire without stirring, as it burns very easily, and in that state is injurious to 

 bees. 



To supply this syrup to the bees without waste and drowning it is 

 necessary to have a feeder. Fig. i, known as the simplicity feeder, may 



2. HOME-MADE FEEDER. 



be purchased of a supply dealer at 4d. It is a block of wood, grooved 

 out so as to leave narrow divisions to prevent bees getting drowned. This 

 is the most convenient form of feeder for box-hives. The box is raised at 

 one end, the feeder placed on the floor board, and the syrup poured in 

 while still warm; the box is then lowered again. If a stock of bees is 

 quite out of stores, at least 5 lbs. of syrup should be given and more later 



L 



3. MOST CONVENIENT FEEDER FOR FRAME-HIVES. 



on, if required. It will be better to give the syrup as fast as the bees 

 will take it than to continue feeding for days ; for the longer the excite- 

 ment lasts the more food is consumed without purpose. 



As the simplicity feeder is rather small, several may be used under each 

 box so as to shorten the time ; or a home-made feeder may be used, such 

 as shown in Fig. 2. It is a plain shallow box and may be made any 

 size which the dimensions of the covering hive permit. To prevent leak- 

 .age. hot wax should be run along all the inside joints, while a thin board 



