164 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Spring Feeding, 

 Usually, enough stores can be provided in the fall to last until a 

 honey flow comes in the spring. Moreover, feeding is always stimu- 

 lative to egg production and brood rearing. Consequently, when it 

 is done in the spring a thin syrup made from the best granulated 

 sugar, one part of sugar to two or even three parts of water, may 

 be used. Small amounts, a pound or two daily, are usually suflicient. 



Fall Feeding. 

 In the fall, the i)urpose being merely to supply winter stores, 

 feeding is done as rapidly as possible. In considering the wintering 

 problem, emphasis is placed on the necessity of ample and naturally 

 stored supplies; therefore, feeding should be completed early in 

 October. At this season there is no desire to stimulate, and a thick, 

 saturated solution of granulated sugar is used. 



How to Feed. 



There are many devices on the market for feeding, most of them 

 having merit and some particular convenience. They may be listed : 

 Gary, Danzenbaker, Paige, division-board, pepperbox or Boardman 

 (slow or small feeders), and Miller (a rapid feeder). These may 

 be seen pictured in the catalogues. On the whole, an entrance 

 feeder is to be avoided, since it excites robbing unless cautiously 

 used. 



Tin Pan Feeder. 



This is perhaps the most satisfactory, inexpensive and sanitary 

 feeder in use. A tin pan is filled with excelsior and placed in an 

 empty super above the brood chamber. "When filled with syrup, 

 the excelsior affords a footing for the bees, so that few drown, 

 drowning being an objection to some other feeders. Furthermore, 

 dry sugar may be placed in the pan and merely dampened with water, 

 supplying an excellent slow feed. When desired, the pans may be 

 scalded and sterilized. There is no checking of the wood, nor break- 

 ing of glass; they telescope and pack away, and their cost is but 5 

 or 10 cents each. 



Mixing Syrup. 

 Fsually it is not necessary to boil syrup if mixed in advance and 

 thoroughly stirred (an extractor is serviceable for 50 pounds or 

 more of sugar). If hot water is used, it is an advantage. There 

 are two precautions, however. Never feed scorched syrup, since it 

 is fatal. There are cases, also, wliere feed has stood in galvanized 

 tanks, as in an extractor, and has been found upon feeding to be 

 poisonous to brood, especially in queen rearing. 



