FEEDING FOR RESERVE SUPPLY 129 



Preparing the Syrup. — When honey is not to be had syrup 

 made from granulated sugar is the best substitute. Molasses or 

 other cheap syrup should never be used, as such substitutes con- 

 tain wastes that are bad for the bees and in the end are no 

 cheaper. Practical bee-keepers are now agreed that if a substi- 

 tute for honey must be used, granulated sugar is not only the 

 best and cheapest thing but about the only safe feed commonly 

 available. 



If the feeding is done for the purpose of providing a reserve 

 food supply, as in winter preparations, it is considered best to use 

 a thick syrup composed of about equal parts sugar and water. 

 Some use a syrup as thick as two parts sugar to one part water. 



According to C. E. Bartholomew, a syrup made of 85 parts 

 sugar by weight to 50 parts water will neither granulate nor 

 ferment by standing. If it is desired to make a large quantity 

 in advance to keep on hand for use as needed, this proportion 

 should be used. 



The syrup can be prepared by dissolving the sugar in hot water 

 in the proportions desired and hastening the process by boiling, 

 or cold water can be used, stirring the syrup from time to time 

 until the sugar is completely dissolved. If a thicker syrup than 

 equal parts of sugar and water is desired, it is best to use hot 

 water, as it is difficult to dissolve larger quantities of sugar in 

 cold water. 



Care should be used that the sugar is not allowed to burn, as 

 burned sugar is injurious if not fatal to the bees. 



For feeding colonies that are rearing queens, or building up 

 nuclei when a food supply is present in the hive but stimulation 

 is desired, a thin syrup is usually used. It should not be thicker 

 than one part water to one of sugar, and even thinner syrup is 

 often used for this purpose. 



Feeding for Reserve Supply. — When it is desired to feed 



colonies that are short of stores either for wintering or for spring 



brood rearing, it is desirable to feed as fast as they are able to 



take care of the syrup. The quicker the job is finished the less 



9 



