SPRING MANAGEMENT. 279 
proved by keeping it unaltered in any way for several 
years; in short, it becomes a substance very much 
resembling honey. 
One apparent discrepancy may have been observed 
in our directions as to feeding, and in part we must 
confess that it is more than an apparent one, and 
arises from the loose way in which our author has 
divided his four seasons. Mr. Taylor’s spring, 
during which the bees must receive barley-sugar in 
preference to liquid food, is simply the latter half of 
winter; while Mr. Cowan’s recipe for syrup of in- 
creased liquidity during “spring and summer,” does 
not apply until the legitimate springtime, when the 
insects are again in full flight but possessed of an 
insufficiency of stores. 
Enemies and Robbers.—The enemies of bees, already 
pointed out at page 186, should now have the 
attention of the proprietor; and more especially 
robber bees, for these are sometimes troublesome at 
this season, particularly where the hives are placed 
not sufficiently apart. On this subject we would 
refer to what has been said at page 203. Let a 
vigilant look-out be given for queen wasps, now 
becoming common, and destroy them in any way 
possible ; remembering that each of these is the 
parent of a future family. When the wasps are 
seen to alight, the use of a garden syringe and 
water is often effectual in disabling them from 
flying, when they are easily killed. 
Cleaning or changing Floor-boards.—All who have 
been accustomed to the care of bees must have 
perceived the saving of labour to them, in the early 
