58 AN EASY METHOD OF 



not be depended on as feeders, except in the 

 spring and summer, unless they are kept so 

 warm that the vapor of the bees will not freeze 

 in them. It would be extremely hazardous for 

 the bees to enter a frosty drawer. They 

 will sooner starve than attempt the experiment. 

 Drawers may be used without danger from 

 robbers, but when the feeder is used, robbers 

 must be guarded against as directed in Rule 4. 



Care should be exercised, in fall-feeding, 

 to supply them with good honey, otherwise 

 the colony may be lost before spring by dis- 

 ease. Poor honey may be given^them in the 

 spring, at the time when they can obtain and 

 provide themselves with medicine, which they 

 only best understand. 



Sugar dissolved, or molasses, may be used 

 in the spring to some advantage, but ought 

 not to be substituted for honey, when it can 

 be obtained. 



Bees sometimes die of starvation, with plen- 

 ty of honey in the hive at the same time. In 

 cold weather they crowd together in a small 

 compass in order to keep warm ; and then 



