HO A MANUAL OF BEE-KEEPING. 



them in the autumn for the sake of their stores. These 

 Bees, by slow feeding, may be induced to fill their hives 

 with combs and stores, but the experiment is trouble- 

 some and costly, and those who have other stocks would 

 find it better to join the poor castaways to their more 

 fortunate sisters, which will benefit all parties. Such a 

 beaten out stock of Bees would consume 30 to 40 pounds 

 of honey to bring them into a fit state to winter. Syrup, 

 as a Bee food, may be made as follows, and the present 

 low price of loaf sugar, which should alone be used (about 

 33J. per cwt.), is a great advantage to the Bee-keeper, as 

 this article is undoubtedly the best for general feeding. 

 If a strong syrup be made of it by boiling with water, 

 the sugar will either recrystallize as the syrup cools, or 

 subsequently, as the water evaporates. If it be used in 

 this form it is liable to solidify, or, as the sugar-baker 

 calls it, grain, after it has been deposited in the cells by 

 the Bees ; should this happen, they will be unable to feed 

 upon it. This may be effectually prevented by adding 

 to the syrup while boiling a small quantity of vinegar. 

 The amount of vinegar necessary varies with its strength ; 

 but about a tablespoonful of that in general use will be 

 sufficient for 4 pounds of sugar, which will make with 

 two pints, or 40 ounces of water, a syrup of the right 

 consistency, and which should boil for 10 minutes after 

 the vinegar is added : 20 ounces of water measure a pint. 

 Rather more water may be used early in the season, 

 when the Bees are breeding rapidly, because they then 

 need a thinner syrup to prepare food for their young 

 than is required for store for winter consumption. After 

 preparing this food put a little of it upon a piece of 

 window-glass, when it should grow stiffer simply without 

 losing its transparency, as the water dries out of it. If 

 crystals are formed, and it becomes white and opaque, it 



