28 



but it is a big help to the heavy laden bees that otherwise drop 

 in the grass or on the ground. Hives should rest on stands off 

 from the ground a;bout one foot. 



In a climate such as we have in Maine, the bee-keeper should 

 endeavor from the start to build up his colonies from the openr 

 ing of spring as rapidly as possible. Bees must be supplied with 

 plenty of stores to keep up brood rearing, unless nectar is being 

 brought in or there are plenty of stores in the hive. Only a 

 limited number of eggs will be laid by the queen unless the bee- 

 keeper supplies this need. 



Full combs of honey are the ideal food for this purpose but, 

 unless saved carefully from the previous season, are not usually 

 available except when spared from other colonies. Granulated 

 sugar dissolved in an equal volume of water and fed within the 

 hive in ,some sort of feeder (see Figs. 14 and 15) is the next best 

 source. This should be fed to the bees warm, and preferably at 

 night. Some feed what they think will be required at one time 

 while others practice feeding a small quantity each day, called 



Fig. 14. — ^Simplicity feeder, used for 

 stimulative feeding 



Fig. 1.5.— The Miller 

 feeder, for feeding bees 

 liquid honey or syrup 



stimulative feeding. 



The novice will be on the safe side to 

 feed all at one time, that is, on successive days until the desired 

 amount has been fed. Caution should be used not to feed more 



