98 THE COTTAGE AND FARM BEE KEEPER. 



in diameter, and two inches in depth.* In the centre of its bottom is 

 cut a hole two or three inches in diameter, into which is soldered a 

 tube, or cylinder, of the same metal, ascending one and a half inch into 

 the pan, to whose inner side is accurately fitted a cylinder of leather, 

 wood, or pasteboard, to facilitate the bees' ascent into the feeder ; this 

 they will themselves securely fasten in its place by means of propolis. 

 The under side of the pan should be perfectly flat and level, so as to 

 slip easily on and off the hole, whenever it may be desirable to close 

 the communication between it and the hive. For this purpose, it will 

 be convenient also to have a small cap fitting nicely over the tube of 

 ascent. There must also be fitted against the side of the pan, exter- 

 nally, a funnel-like piece of zinc, in shape somewhat resembling a 

 jug spout, by which the liquid food supplied may be poured from time 

 to time. Of course, there must be some small holes punched in the 

 side of the feeder against which it is soldered, to allow the liquid to 

 run through. A pane of glass fits over the whole, through which the 

 proceedings of the industrious insects may be watched at leisure. This 

 pane ought to fit exactly on the edge of the feeder, to allow of as little 

 escape of air as possible. Lastly, there must be constructed a float of 

 some hard wood,t having a hole in the centre to admit the ascending 

 tube, so accurately made, that while it rises and falls easily with the 

 liquid beneath it, it is not so small in diameter as to allow of any 

 bees being drowned between it and the walls of the feeder. The 

 thickness of the float may be about a quarter of an inch. To prevent 

 it sticking to the bottom, three or four brads must be passed through 

 it, here and there ; these will elevate it about a quarter of an inch 

 above the bottom. It is of little consequence if the bees can get 

 under it; indeed they may be encouraged to do so, as they will often 

 save the apiator the trouble of cleansing the feeder; while a little 

 care in replenishing it, will avoid all danger of drowning any that 

 may have crept beneath it. To facilitate their speedy escape, the . 



* The greater the diameter, the less may be its depth, -which is perhaps an advantage, as 

 saving the bees some trouble of ascent. 



t I lay great stress upon the careful avoiding of deal in any shape as a vehicle for snp- 

 plying food to bees, as I have found it has a tendency to turn it sour, espeoially if beer is 

 an ingredient in its composition, but even where honey has been given to the bees with a 

 deal float, I have found it generate an acid — not only so, it seems to give a peculiar flavor to 

 the liquid, which renders it after a time unpalatable to the bees. 



