42 



CHAPTER X. 

 Feeding. 



We have seen that in the spring months the bees build up a huge army of producers 

 to secure the benefit of the heavy flow of honey in June. All during the breeding 

 season every drop of nectar is converted into more bees about as fast as it is brought 

 in ; then in June and July every cell in the comb is plugged full of honey, on which 

 they will have to subsist until dandelions bloom in spring. But the bee-keeper finds a 

 ready market for the toothsome honey, and therefore robs the hives of the stores, not 

 infrequently leaving too little for the bees to winter on, with the natural result that, 

 unless other provision is made, the colony will starve to death. Again, for some reason 

 the bees may have consumed stores in the winter much more rapidly than was 

 anticipated, so that they must get help in the spring. We have also seen that at the 

 end of fruit-blossom there is often a dearth for a few weeks which would put an end to 

 brood-raising unless the bee-keeper lent his aid. In each instance the necessary 

 assistance is given in the form of sugar syrup, made from the best granulated sugar ; 

 any other kind is risky. 



The feeding in the fall for winter and spring consumption is the most important. 

 About the beginning of September an estimate should be made of the amount of stores 

 in each hive, this being done by examining each frame and sizing up how many sections 

 of honey it is equal to. Roughly speaking, an ordinary frame will hold eight sections 

 of honey, each weighing about 14 ounces, let us say a pound. To be in safe condition, 

 each hive should contain about 25 pounds of stores. For every pound short of that 

 amount, feed 1 pound of sugar dissolved in water. 



Fall feeding is usually done quickly— that is, large quantities of syrup, often as 

 much as 25 pounds, are given at one time. Some men give the full amount needed 

 about the middle of September ; others give half then, the other half about the end of 

 October. 



The syrup fed in the fall is made rather thick. The thinnest ever used is got by 

 taking equal quantities, by measure, of sugar and hot water, boiling, if possible. It is 

 important to dissolve the sugar thoroughly, so stir well. Some bee-keepers, for fall 

 feeding, use as much as two parts of sugar to one of water, but this strength should not 

 be exceeded. 



In the spring months a very much thinner syrup is better, one composed of two 

 parts of hot water and one of sugar. This is given slowly, say from half a pint to a 

 pint a day, according to the needs of the colony. 



Feeders. 



There are four methods of feeding — namely, open-air, above the brood-chamber, 

 in the hive, and below the brood-chamber. Open-air feeding has several limitations. 

 One is apt to feed other bees if there be any within a couple of miles ; then there is a 

 temperature limit, for the writer finds bees will not take up syrup from below unless 

 the thermometer is above 5(f , so that the same conditions will probably apply to the 

 open air. Feeding below the hive has much to recommend it with suitable dishes, but 

 on the coast regions it is unfortunately impracticable in the spring months, as there are 

 often weeks of cool weatlier. For fall feeding this system is all right. For giving 

 syrup in spring, preference should be given to a feeder that fits into the brood-chamber, 

 where the syrup will retain the heat and be readil}' got at by the bees. In the fall it is 

 usually most convenient to feed from above. 



There are many devices by which syrup can be given from above the brood-chamber. 

 Perhaps the simplest is the ordiiuiry friction-top can, such as is used as a container for 

 syrup, jam, etc. Prepare it by punching the lid fairly full of small holes with the point 



