324 THE BEE keeper's MANUAL. 



removed, and Iheir places supplied with empty frames, in 

 order that they may be induced to exert themselves to the 

 utmost. An empty frame inserted between full ones, will 

 be replenished with comb very speedily, and often the 

 combs removed will be so much clear gain. If at any time 

 there is a sudden supply of honey, and the bees are reluc- 

 tant to enter the boxes, or it is not probable that the supply 

 will continue long enough to enable them to fill them, the 

 removal of some of the combs from the main hive so as to 

 have empty ones filled, will often be highly advantageous. 



If in the Fall of the year, the bee-keeper finds that some 

 of his colonies need feeding, and if they are not populous 

 enough to make good stock hives in the ensuing Spring, then 

 instead of wasting time and money on them, he should at 

 once, break them up ; (See p. 322.) They will seldom pay 

 for the labor bestowed on them, and the bees will be much 

 more serviceable, if added to other stocks. The Apiarian 

 cannot be too deeply impressed with the important truth, that 

 his profits in bee-keeping will all come from liis strong 

 stocks, and that if he cannot manage so as to have such col- 

 onies early, he had better let bee-keeping alone. 



If liquid honey is fed to bees, it should always, (see p. 322,) 

 be given to them seasonably, so that they may seal it over 

 before the approach of cold weather. West India honey 

 has for many years, been used to very good advantage, as 

 a bee-feed. It should never be used in its raw state, as it 

 is often filled with impurities, and is very liable to sour or 

 candy in the cells, but should be mixed with about two 

 parts of good white sugar, to three of honey and one of 

 water, and brought to the boiling point ; as soon as it be- 

 gins to boil, it should be set to cool, and all the impurities 

 will rise to the top, and may be skimmed off. If it is found 

 to be too thick, a little more water may be added to it ; it 



