156 HANDY BOOK OF BEES. 



able, constant feeding is the best, because it keeps the 

 hives full of glee ; but in autumn, the more speedily it is 

 done the better. 



Sometimes hives have not been fed enough in autumn ; 

 and the bees in them may be found in the dead of winter 

 starved nearly to death, so cold and hungry that they 

 will not leave their combs for food. What should be done 

 to save them'? Take them indoors, into some house, and 

 pour amongst them a little warm syrup. They will revive 

 in a few minutes, and sing a song of gratitude. Of course 

 the door of the hive should be closed while they are in 

 the house, unless the place be in complete darkness. 



The practice of exposing refuse honey, or hives and 

 combs wet with honey, to all the bees in a garden or 

 neighbourhood, cannot be too strongly condemned. Honey 

 thus given to bees is like blood to a tiger : they will have 

 more, and make earnest attempts to rob other hives. 

 And there is great danger of making bees of different 

 hives too familiar with one another in a "mixed con- 

 gregation " thus brought together. Bees should be fed at 

 home, and never tempted to come in contact with those 

 of another family. 



