FEEDING. 325 



ought however, never to be made thinner than the natural 

 consistence of good honey. Such a mixture will cost for 

 a small quantity, about seven cents a pound, and will prob- 

 ably be found the cheapest liquid food, which can be given 

 to bees. Brown sugar may be used with the honey, but the 

 food will not be so good. 



If one of my hives is used, the bee-keeper may feed his 

 bees at the proper season, without using any feeder at all, 

 or rather he may use the bottom-hoard of the hive as a 

 feeder. On this plan, the bees should be fed at evening ; 

 so as to run no risk of their robbing each other. The hive 

 which is to be fed, should have the front edge of its bottom- 

 board elevated on a block, so as to slant backwards, and the 

 honey should be poured into a small tin gutter inserted at the 

 entrance ; one such will answer for a whole Apiary, and may 

 be made by bending up the edges of any old piece of tin. 

 As the frames in my hive are kept about half an inch 

 above the bottom-board, which is water tight, the honey runs 

 under them, and is as safe as in a dish, while the bees 

 stand on the bottom of the frames, and help themselves. 

 The quantity poured in, should of course, depend upon the 

 size and necessities of the colony ; no more ought to be 

 given at one time than the bees can take up during the 

 night, and the entrance to the hive ought always to be kept 

 very small during the process of feeding, to prevent rob- 

 ber bees from getting in ; a good colony will easily take up a 

 quart. It is desirable to get through the feeding as rapidly 

 as possible, as the bees are excited during the whole pro- 

 cess, and consume more than they otherwise would ; to say 

 nothing of the demand made upon the time of the Apiarian, 

 by feeding in small quantities. If the bees cannot, in fa- 

 vorable weather, dispose of at least a pint at one time, the 

 colony must be too small to make it worth while to feed 

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