FEEDING PRINCIPLES 45 



ing in, or is being manipulated by the bees, even 

 in driblets, the queen will continue laying, ap- 

 parently under the impression that there is a honey 

 flow; but should the supply cease, even for 

 twenty-four hours, then the queen ceases also, and 

 the hive is the poorer by two to three thousand 

 young, bees. The supply must be regulated to 

 the daily needs of the bees, and it must be given 

 so slowly that it takes them the whole of their 

 time to obtain it. Should it be given too quickly, 

 and too fast for their consumption, they will store 

 it in the combs, crowding out the queen, who will 

 thus be restricted in her breeding. 



When there is a heavy store of last year's food 

 in the hive this should be utilized before more is 

 given. The best way of doing this is to bruise 

 a few inches of capping thrice a week. This can 

 be done with a knife, when the bees will clear 

 out the cells. When all the stores have vanished 

 continue the feeding if necessary with the bottle. 

 The recipe for spring syrup is: 10 lb. of best cane 

 sugar, 7 pints of water, 1 tablespoonful of vine- 

 gar, and a pinch of salt. Boil for a few minutes. 

 This recipe is used for, food at all times during 

 the spring and summer, but syrup, must not be 

 given between the months of September and April. 

 If bees need food then it must be given to them 

 in the form of soft candy, which may be obtained 

 from any dealer in apiarian supplies. 



It is not necessary, but it is very desirable, that 

 all food given should be medicated with napthol- 



