TREATMENT OT SWARMS AMD STOCKS. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Treatment of Swarms and Stocks. 



SWAEMS EEQTJIRB FEEDING — THE SdUEOE OP WAX EEOIPE FOR 



BEE POOD HOW TO FEED — BOTTLE COVEES — GUIDE FOE SKEPS 



— UTILISING OLD COMB PLANE GDIDES EMBOSSED SHEET 



long's FOUNDATIONS — CHESHIEB's GUIDES AND MIDKIBS 



DEONE MIDEIBS DEONE TEAPS EOBBING BEE HOUSES PAS- 



TUEAGE SPEING AND AUTUMN FEEDING WATER AETIFICIAL 



POLLEN UNITING. 



It is important to feed swarms started with empty Hyes, even in good 

 weather, but it is absolutely essential to do so in bad, aa the following con- 

 siderations will clearly show : The bees are no sooner fairly hived, than they 

 form in cluster and keep up a high temperature in order to secrete wax, 

 which is produced from eight glands situated in the reflexed parts of the 

 under side of the abdominal rings of the worker ; whence, if we use frame 

 hives, it may often be seen projecting in little rhomboidal plates, looking 

 like scale armour. These are, by the aid of the mandibles, elaborated 

 into comb in a manner upon which space forbids us to dilate. The wax 

 is a species of animal fat, the evolution of a pound of which requires the 

 consumption of nearly 201b. of honey, or some similar saccharine' substance, 

 Aa 21b. of wax at least are required to furnish a hive, we see the great 

 quantity of honey demanded if the bees are unassisted; and should 

 supplies come in slowly, comb binding proceeds sluggishly, breeding is 

 hindered, and the discouraged bees lose that eager earnestness which 

 always at first characterises a swarm. Feed regularly and liberally 

 untU the hive is furnished with as much comb as the swarm can 

 thoroughly cover, and then treat according to weather. 



The best food for swarms is loaf sugar, 3ilb. boiled iu a quart of water 

 (the syrup should be stronger for autumn feeding), to which is added, 

 whilst boiling, a tableapoonful of common vinegar, after which, the 

 boiling is continued ten minutes. Good authorities have said the 

 vinegar is not required, but we beg strongly to difEer, having seen again 

 and again the inconvenience to the beekeeper, and the disadvantage 



