45 



When it is desired to stimulate breeding in ordea: to bring a 

 stock up to the full strength for wintering, it 

 104. Autumn Feeding, should be fed with two holes, but not more, 

 of summer syrup (178). In order that a 

 stock may winter safely, it should be provided with not less 

 than twenty pounds of capped honey in frames. A well-filled 

 frame will contain about five pounds of honey. If the bees 

 have not been able to provide sufiicient store after the removal 

 of supers in autumn, they should be fed rapidly with autumn 

 syrup (179) giving the full number of holes, and replenishing 

 the feeder with warm syrup as often as it is emptied. This 

 feeding should be giiven rapidly, as all the food store must ripen 

 in the cells before it can be capped, and it is therefore necessary 

 to supply it before the period passes away in which the bees 

 can collect the material for capping. A cheap pattern quick 

 feeder (40) holding one quart, would be very suitable for 

 autumn rapid feeding. 



The bee-keeper should seize the first favourable opportunity on 

 -., „ ^ t 1 ^ rnrild day in February to examine his 

 Feedine attend o^ hives in order to ascertain if the food sup- 

 Winter P^y ^^ sufficient. The bees will not empty 

 the upper portions of the back frames until 

 all their other food supply has been exhausted : if, therefore, 

 the cells in the upper portion of the back frame are empty, it 

 is a clear indication that food is required. At this examination 

 the bees should be disturbed as little as possible ; therefore 

 neither smoke nor the subduing cloth should be used to subdue 

 the bees. The coverings should be removed to permit the back 

 of the quilt being gently turned forward until the three back 

 frames can be seen ; a carbohsed feather (64) may if necessary 

 be used to brush down the bees which rise ; if the cells in these 

 frames are capped as far as can be seen without removing them , 

 no food need be given ; but if they are empty, a cake of about 

 five pounds weight of soft candy (174) should be placed on the 

 frames over the brood nest under the quilt. This should sup- 

 port the bees until spring stimulative feeding is necessary. 



The stocks should again be examined on a suitable day about 

 the middle of March ; if it is then noticed 

 .^?S^l06. Spring that the food supply is short, they should in 

 Stimulative Feeding, late districts receive candy, preferably flour 

 candy, given as above described (105). If, 

 however, there is a eufificient food supply, stimulative feeding 

 may be commenced when the time for it has arrived. In those 

 districts in which in ordinary seasons there is a good flow of 

 honey in May and June from tree blossoms, clover, &c. , it is 

 very desirable to stimulate early breeding ; in such districts 

 stimulative feeding may be commenced about the middle of 

 March : if the bees are flying freely and carrying pollen to the 

 hive it is a sign that stimulative feeding may be given. If 

 pollen-bearing flowers do not abound in the district at this 

 period, about a teaspoonful of pea flour per hive should be placed 



