AIDS TO SUCCESS. 



93 



metal cap is attached an index, and as it is pointed to 

 the figures 1, 2, 3, &c., marked on the stage, that 

 number of holes remains uncovered, and thus the 

 rate at which the food is taken down by the bees is 

 regulated. 



There is one great objection to this method of feed- 

 ing, viz., that all the food taken by the bees after the 

 first few hours, when the food is given warm, must 

 be cold. On the giving of cold syrup Mr. Cheshire 

 remarks, " Syrup holding 3 lbs. of water, and given at 

 the temperature of the external air, will abstract more 

 heat from the cluster of bees than J cwt. of zinc placed 

 cold in their midst." Coming from such an authority, 

 this pronouncement against 

 the giving of cold syrup should 

 emphasise the necessity for 

 giving warm syrup. 



There is no reason why, if 

 we conclude that a stock of 

 bees requires a pint of food, 

 it must be four days taking it 

 down. Far better is it to 

 turn on the fuU number of holes and allow the pint to 

 be taken down in a few hours whUe warm. It is then 

 placed where the bees require it for immediate use, and 

 ^\-ill remain at the temperature of the inside instead of 

 the outside of the hive. 



A very simple method of feeding is by a bottle and 

 stage. The stage is about 5 inches' square, the sides 

 being raised and grooved to allow a piece of glass to 

 slide along the top of the stage. The raised sides and 

 grooves may be dispensed with, and the glass laid flat 



