106 BEGINNER'S BEE BOOK 



The novice will very often feed his bees with 

 corn syrup, molasses, or other sweet, with the 

 mistaken idea that the bees can make use of any 

 sweet substance. Such experiments often re- 

 sult in the death of the bees. If honey is not at 

 hand, granulated sugar is the only thing that 

 should be used. It is not safe to buy honey for 

 feeding, because of the danger of getting honey 

 from diseased colonies and thus bringing dis- 

 ease into the apiary. 



A thick syrup should always be used for 

 winter feed. Usually two parts sugar to one 

 of water are used. By dissolving the sugar in 

 boiling water and stirring freely the sugar will 

 dissolve fully. Many use equal parts of sugar 

 and water because it is easier to prepare the 

 syrup than when a thicker one is made. When 

 feeding for winter, it is well to save the bees as 

 much as possible, especially if it be late in the 

 season. In spring when feeding for brood- 

 rearing or to carry the bees over a temporary 



