144 HOW TO KEEP BEES 



need from the nectar, there are other times when 

 they drink water eagerly. This is especially so in 

 the spring when they are gathering much pollen and 

 little water, and the weather is warm. Running water 

 is more desirable, and if the drip from a faucet flow 

 over a board, or on pebbles, it affords a nearly ideal 

 drinking place for the bees, since they can drink 

 freely and are in no danger of drowTiing. Some bee- 

 keepers invert a Mason jar filled with water, on a 

 board that has a few shallow^ groves, perhaps one- 

 eighth inch deep; the water flows out slowly owing 

 to atmospheric pressure; if a little salt be added to 

 the water the bees lap it up eagerly. 



MAXIMS FOR FEEDING 



Keep close watch of the bees during the entire 

 season, so as to know whether they need feeding or 

 not. 



Feed only good honey or the best sugar. 



Never feed scorched sugar in the winter, as it will 

 surely kill the bees. 



Observe the practice of feeding at nightfall to 

 preclude robbing. 



Never spill the syrup or honey around the yard 

 lest robbers be led on to black deeds. 



Feed small amounts to stimulate a swarm or nu- 

 cleus. Bees are susceptible to small encouragements. 



Be careful never to cool off the brood-chamber 

 when feeding in early spring or late fall. 



See to it that the bees have water near by, especially 

 early in the season. 



