io6 THE BOOK OF THE HONEY BEE 



feeding, taking every precaution to avoid starting 

 robbing. About the second week in September, go 

 over all the stocks, and any containing less than from 

 25 to 30 lbs. of sealed stores should have their stores 

 augmented by means of the rapid feeder without delay. 

 It is important that all winter food be sealed (see 

 Dysentery). Any not sealed should be extracted. All 

 weak stocks should be united and fed up to right con- 

 dition for wintering. 



As an additional precaution against starvation, give 

 a cake of candy on the top of the frames. Where 

 candy is not given, place a couple of sticks about |-inch 

 square across the frames at right angles to the frames, 

 so as to provide a passage way from comb to comb. 

 When candy is used, the bees eat out their own 

 passages. 



Over all put two or three calico quilts, a similar 

 number of flannel ones, and lastly a chaff cushion. 

 This latter is a bottomless box 4 inches deep, 

 and the same size as the brood-chamber. Tack on a 

 bottom of calico, and fill up with dry chaff or cork 

 'dust. See that all roofs are perfectly water-tight. 



When there is no longer any danger of robbing, open 

 the entrances to at least 6 inches wide. Remove ac- 

 cumulated dead bees from time to time with a hooked 

 wire, and when snow is on the ground, rear a board in 

 front of each hive, so as effectually to shade the 

 entrances. Otherwise the glare will entice the bees to 

 fly, only to perish of cold. 



All hives and appliances not in use should be 

 thoroughly cleansed and scrubbed out with carbolic 

 soap at once, after which they may be stored for use 

 the following season. 



