200 THE FARMER'S MANUAL. 



concludes ; If I manage my hive well, and preserve 

 it for ten years, it will yield me the same quantity 

 every year, viz. Islbs. ; and M. Grenee, by destroy- 

 ing his hive, has got 40lbs. his hive has only yield- 

 ed him one swarm, and mine, at the end of ten years, 

 has produced to me at least ten, without regarding 

 the multiplied produce of the swarms, both in Bees 

 and honey. At the end of ten years, my 15lbs. a 

 year, will give 150lbs. with thrir swarms, &c. to his 

 40lbs of honey only ; Who has the advantage ? 



CHAP. XX. 



On the manner of feeding Bees. 



There are two seasons in which the feeding o! 

 Bees becomes necessary, and these are in winter and 

 spring ; at these seasons, the hives should be careful- 

 ly watched, and when found light, an immediate sup- 

 ply be given them. It is the opinion of our author, 

 that it is best not to feed profusely, by giving a great 

 quantity at a time, but gently, say about 2 pounds a 

 month, and that the feeding should be in the morning 

 early, before the Bees leave the hive, and always in 

 pleasant weather, and that the entrance of the hive 

 should be closed immediately after feeding, to prevent 

 robbery from other hives. Or, it may be considered 

 most prudent and safe to administer food at evening, 

 after sunset, when the entrance of the hive need not be 

 closed ; but the vessel containing the honey must be re- 

 moved before the next morning, to prevent robbery as 

 before. Care should be taken not to delay feeding your 

 Bees until their old store is all exhausted, for they will 

 then become feeble, and if you preserve your Bees, you 

 will lose much of their labours the next season. Sugar 

 is sometimes administered as food for Bees, as well as 

 clear honey ; Mr. Huish considers the first as impro- 



