FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 



271 



o± the bees without having much sweetness in it, for I forgot to 

 say that I use the Miller feeder. I am not sure that this pre- 

 caution is necessary, but it can do no harm. I now go around 

 and put in each feeder about as much water as will balance the 

 sugar, counting either by pints or pounds. Of course, if twelve 

 pounds or more of sugar should be in the feeder, it will be im- 

 possible to balance the sugar with water. In that case I put 

 in all the water I can. Next day or so the liquid will be used 







Fig. 101. — Second-Class Sections. 



out, and I can fill up again. Indeed, in many cases where 

 equal parts of sugar and water are given, the water will be 

 mostly out by the next day, leaving only damp sugar in the 

 feeder, and more water must be added. Practically, this is 

 giving the feed very thin, and I suspect it is all the better. I 

 have never had any trouble from robber bees while leaving the 

 feeders open in the way mentioned, of course covering up as 

 soon as water is all in; although I have had trouble by leaving 

 a cover on a feeder that was not bee-tight, and with such a 

 cover it is better first to put on a cover of cotton cloth that 

 hangs down all around. 



