FEEDING BEES 137 



tember or the first of October. A colony of ordinary 

 size ought to have at least thirty pounds of capped 

 honey. The ordinary Langstroth frame, when 

 filled on both sides, contains about five pounds cf 

 honey; therefore, there should be an equivalent of 

 six filled frames in each hive. If the swarm lacks this 

 amount, an estimate should be made of how much 

 more it needs, and this amount should be fed. 



Bees are usually fed upon honey or syrup made 

 from the best granulated sugar, although some 

 have claimed that the best grade of coffee-sugars 

 make a good syrup; but the consensus of opinion is 

 in favour of the granulated. The syrup is made 

 in two ways: First, by heat. Melt the granulated 

 sugar in its own weight or measure of water; it 

 should be heated slowly, and never reach a tempera- 

 ture higher than 180° F. lest it burn, for scorched 

 syrup fed in winter is as fatal to bees as so much 

 poison. The mixture should be stirred until the 

 sugar is entirely dissolved, then allowed to cool 

 slowly, and it is ready for use. If there are many 

 to feed, a wash-boiler is a 'very convenient utensil to 

 use, as it is easier to make a large quantity at a time. 

 Because of the danger of scorching a cold process has 

 been evolved. It consists of taking equal measures 

 of sugar and water; the latter should be boiling hot 

 and the two stirred together until the sugar is dis- 

 solved. This may be done in a churn or in the 

 honey extractor. In following this process it is 

 best to add the sugar a bowlful at a time, while 

 stirring the mixture industriously. The syrup 



