FEEDING. 157 



outside. If the weather is cool, they appear to be 

 lifeless; yet they can be revived, and now rami he fed. 



DraEOTIONS FOB FEEDING. 



Those among the combs may be able to move, 

 though feebly. When this is the condition of things, 

 invert the hive, gather up all the scattered bees, and 

 put them in. Get some honey ; if candied, heat it till 

 it dissolves; comb honey is not so good without 

 mashing; if no honey is to be had, brown sugar may 

 be taken instead ; add a little water, and boil it till 

 about the consistence of honey, and skim it ; when 

 cool enough, pour a quantity among the combs, di- 

 rectly on the bees ; cover the bottom of the hive with 

 a cloth, securing it firmly, and bring to the fire to 

 warm up. In two or three hours they will be revived, 

 and may be returned to the stand, providing the 

 honey given is all taken up ; on no account let any 

 honey run out around the bottom. The necessity of 

 a daily visit to the hives is apparent from the fact,, that 

 if left over for one day, in the situation just described, 

 it will be too late to revive them. At night, if you 

 have a box cover, such as I have recommended, you 

 may open 'the holes in the top of the hive; fill a small 

 baking dish with honey or syrup, and set it on the top ; 

 put in some shavings to keep the bees from drowning, 

 or a float may be used if you choose ; it should be 

 made of some very light wood, very thin, and full of 

 holes or narrow channels, made with a saw. At the 

 commencement of feeding, a few drops should be scat- 



