FEEDERS AND FEEDING. 139 



a cupful or more of the syrup made warm : they will 

 then set to work cleaning one another, and gain strength 

 and inclination to make use of the remainder. Bees in 

 straw skeps may also be fed at other times by pouring 

 syrup in a fine stream into the combs ; this will run into 

 the cells and be afterwards properly taken care of by the 

 Bees ; the quantity given must be regulated by the 

 weather and other circumstances, bearing in mind the 

 caution I have given as to dysentery. 



A small swarm, which if left to itself would infallibly 

 die, may be often built up into a moderately strong stock 

 by slow and judicious feeding, such as I have described 

 for spring stimulation. The regularity of a small supply 

 will induce the Bees to build Worker comb, and as fast 

 as built, the Queen will stock it with eggs. If too much 

 food be given it will be a misfortune, the cells being filled 

 with honey where should be brood. Autumn feeding 

 should be on a totally different plan to that I have been 

 writing of—then the one object is to get the Bees to 

 store enough in their hives to last the winter. Towards 

 the end of August every hive should be examined, and 

 such as do not contain at least 20 pounds of honey 

 should be fed until that weight be reached. The 

 weather being warm, the syrup will soon evaporate 

 sufficiently, so the Bees may be supplied as fast as they 

 can take it. A strong stock will have no difficulty in 

 storing away a quart of syrup in 24 hours. If the hive 

 be not fully supplied with combs, this liberality should 

 not be exercised, or too much Drone comb will be made, 

 which is not desirable ; better by far first persuade the 

 Bees, by slow feeding, to make the comb, and then 

 give them the wherewith to fill it. It is a common 

 practice to obtain Bees by means of driving, either by gift 

 or purchase, from those who would otherwise destroy 



