326 THE BEE keeper's MANUAL. 



them, if they are in hives by which Ihey can be readily 

 united to stronger stocks. 



If the bees have not a good allowance of cqmb, it will 

 not, as a general rule, pay to feed them. This will be ob- 

 vious to any one who reflects that at least 20 pounds of hon- 

 ey are required to elaborate one pound of wax. I know 

 that this estimate may to some, appear enormous ; but it is 

 given as the result of very accurate experiments, instituted 

 on a large scale, to determine this very point. The Country 

 Curate says, " Having driven the population of four stocks, 

 on the 5th of August, and united ihem together, I fed them 

 with about 50 pounds of a mixture of sugar, honey, salt 

 and beer, for about five weeks. At that time, the box was 

 only 16 pounds heavier than when the bees were put into 

 it." He then makes an estimate that at least 25 pounds of 

 the mixture were consumed in making about half a pound 

 of wax ! ! No one who has ever tried it, will undertake to 

 feed bees for profit, when they are destitute of both comb 

 and honey. 



If the weather is cool when bees are fed, it will generally 

 be necessary to resort to top feeding. For this, my hive is 

 admirably adapted : a feeder may be put over one of the 

 holes in the honey-board directly over the mass of the bees, 

 into which the heat of the hive naturally arises, and where 

 the bees can get at their food without any risk of being 

 chilled. This is always the best place for a feeder, as the 

 smell of the food is not so likely to attract the notice of 

 robbing bees. 



I shall here describe the way in which a feeder can at 

 small expense, be made to answer admirably every purpose. 

 Take any wooden box which will hold, say, at least one 

 quart ; make it honey-tight, by pouring into the joints the 

 melted mixture, (see p. 99,) and brush the whole interior 



