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 S5 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 svrup from time to time 
until the sugar is completely dissolved. Ifa 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 iood 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 
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