SPRING MANAGEMENT. 275 
remaining stock of food, for much will shortly be 
required for the increasing numbers. If needed, 
some must be given, though in less quantity than in 
autumn; and it ought to be placed within the hive, 
either at the top or bottom; but the time is arrived 
when every precaution should be used to prevent the 
effects of chill to the brood by the creation of cold 
currents. It usually suffices to supply food about 
three times a week, but the feeding trough must be 
closely covered, to keep up the temperature, or the 
bees will not at first enter into it. When this is 
the case, some proprietors do not hesitate to invert 
a hive, and pour a cup of honey amongst the 
combs, upon which the bees will soon lick one 
another clean (if a frame hive, of course no inversion 
will be requisite). At this season it is well to give 
the food slightly warmed. Many persons recommend 
feeding even the strong hives, for it is certain that 
the bees are stimulated by the increased temperature 
to which this gives rise; and there can be no doubt of 
the importance of bringing the stocks forward as early 
as possible. But no feeding, unless from absolute 
necessity, should be resorted to till a certain degree 
of animation is visible in the dwelling, otherwise 
the bees are prematurely put in motion, and numbers 
perish, unable to reach home. Nor is it of less im- 
portance to observe that feeding is not discontinued 
too soon; for even after warm days there will be a 
return of ungenial weather, and a stock might perish 
where a very little additional food would have saved 
it. But some limit should be put to the quantity as 
the weather becomes fine and warm; for I have 
T 2 
