136 



THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW 



FEEDER MAY BE USED EITHER ON TOP 

 THE HIVE OR UNDERNEATH. 



These feeders set on top the hive, or 

 the hive maj' be raised from the bot- 

 tom board, and the feeder set under- 

 neath, after the required amount of 

 syrup has been put into it. Long 

 grass or hay must be thrown in; this 

 is to prevent the bees from getting 

 drowned. 



These feeders were used successfully 

 after it began to freeze, b^' setting them 

 underneath the hives. In two days 25 

 pounds of feed were all stored away. 

 When the weather is warm thej' work 

 well on top. If the bees won't go up, 

 just put the feeders underneath, and 

 the bees,.will soon be on the buzz ripen- 

 ing the feed. 



This feeder is adapted to any amount 

 one wishes to feed at once, or a little 

 each day, and will answer the purpose 

 even for stimulating piirposes, as bees 

 should not, as a rule, be fed for this 

 purpose until after fruit bloom. 



The oil cloth is air-tight, so there is 

 no ventilation going through the cloth. 



Then, again, it can just as well be 

 put on the bottom board, and the feed 

 poured down between the frames at 

 one side of the cluster, into the feeder 

 below. In this case no heat would be 

 lost. 



Then, again, the oil cloth need not 

 cover the whole bottom of the super, as 

 the follower board can be set in be- 

 tween any where you wish; thus you 

 can have a feeder at one side, and to 

 cover only one or two section holders. 

 This would cost only one cent apiece. 

 Or, if one wishes, the feeders can be 

 set outside, filled with syrup, and a 

 liberal amount of old, dr3^ grass, hay 

 or even green weeds, thrown in to keep 

 the bees from drowning 



Every comb hone}' producer will 

 usually have plenty of empty supers, 

 and it is handy to fix them for this 

 business. These cloths may be used 



in any super that will support them; 

 even the different apartments of the 

 T supers may be fitted to take them. 

 A shingle may be let down to the tins 

 in one, or all, of the apartments, care 

 being taken to see that the bees always 

 have access to the feed; or if placed 

 underneath, be sure there is an open- 

 ing in front to allow bees to fly out at 

 all times. 



Those who use Dovetailed supers or 

 section holders can key up the supers. 

 When putting in the oil cloth fold the 

 corners so as not to allow any chance 

 for leakage. Push in a little sharp 

 tack at each corner, close to the top 

 edge of the cloth. Do this to keep the 

 cloth sound from holes. Use just 

 enough of these brads to hold it in 

 place. 



When using these feeders don't go 

 slopping the syrup all over the bee 

 yard, but be very careful and neat, as 

 the bees become greatly excited and 

 they should not be able to find a.iiy 

 scatterings. 



The entrance is always arranged be- 

 hind the follower board, either for bees 

 to fly out when beneath, or for bees to 

 enter when it is set over head. See 

 that all covers are set on tight when on 

 top, leaving no chance for robbers. 

 When set underneath, two days are re- 

 quired to feed three gallons of syrup, 

 or sufficient for winter. 



There is no unnecessary amount of 

 untimely brood started with this feeder. 

 It is simple, double-quick, and the 

 syrup may be made thick or thin. We 

 have been experimenting both waj's, 

 and will note the difference, if any. 



We use the cheap grade of oil cloth, 

 and, so far, have met no obstacle. See 

 that you get sound cloth. Hold it up to 

 the light, and if there are any defects 

 the}' will show. As I have said before, 

 this simple feeder has made us all 

 happ}', even though so much feeding 

 had to be done this fall; really, we 

 liked to forget our verj' poor season. 

 Maquoketa, Iowa, Dec. 28, 1905. 



