94 THE farmer's guide. 



use. Hives of the medium size have been found best adapted 

 to the purpose for which they are desired. 



IMPROVED MACHINE FOR FEEDING 

 BEES. 



Prepare a board, a little larger than the bottom of the hive, 

 in the centre of which make an opening about 10 inches in di- 

 ameter; then form a frame of half-inch board, to consist of 

 four sides, each about 3 by 12 inches ; make the angles firm 

 with small wooden blocks, to which affix the before-mentioned 

 board. A door should then be made in a side of the frame, suf- 

 ficiently large to admit a deep plate, or small dish, to contain 

 the food. By the use of this machine, the bees are fed quietly, 

 and protected from the cold weather, and the intrusion of other 

 bees. It is scarcely necessary to observe further, that the door 

 of the machine should face such part of the bee-house as best 

 suits convenience. The dish of food to be placed under should 

 be covered with a piece of thick paper the size of the plate or 

 dish, pierced with holes, through which the bees will feed ; 

 and a quantity of short pieces of straw also put into the dish, 

 will prevent the bees from daubing themselves. They should 

 be fed at night, and the dish only taken away early on the 

 following morning ; to do this, the face and hands should be 

 covered. The autumn and early part of the spring are times 

 proper to examine if any hives require feeding; but always 

 commence before the stock is in absolute want of food, or the 

 bees will be so poor and weak as to be unable to come down. 



XO HIVE BEES. 



Bee-keepers should have spare hives by them, prepared to 

 hive the bees as soon as they are settled ; for should the sun 

 shine hot on the swarm, it may take another and be lost. The 

 manner of hiving them must be regulated by the nature of the 

 place on which they settle. Have ready a cloth whereon to 

 place the hive, and a wedge to raise it ; if the swarm should 

 settle on a limb of a tree, shake the best part of it into the hive, 

 place it on the cloth on the ground, and continue to disturb 

 where it settled, and the hive being left underneath, they will 

 all go in : or cut off' the branch, and gently place it in the hive, 

 should the bees settle on the ground, place the hive over them ; 

 and though bees are not apt to sting at this time, the hiving 

 should be performed quietly. Avoid taking and breathing on 

 them. If any of them are crushed they will resent it ; there- 

 fore, to prevent accident, use a bee-dress, or a veil and gloves. 

 All swarms are to be sheltered, and left near to where they 

 settle till the evening ; thence to be removed very gently to the 

 appointed place. 



