122 FEEDIXli. 



away, or saffei- the penalty of insect justice, which is gen- 

 erally '• to the utmost extent of the law." 



CHAPTER VII. 



FEEDIXG. 

 FEEDIsa A LAST KESOET. 



Feeding bees is sometimes quite necessary. But in 

 ordinary seasons and circumstances it is very doubtful 

 policy for the apiarian to attempt to winter many stocks 

 so poorly supplied with honey, that they will need feeding 

 before spring. Xothing is more common than for inex- 

 perienced persons to undertake to winter every hiv^e con- 

 taining bees, and the more ignorant they are of the 

 business, the more poor hives they wUl endeavor to keep. 

 There are circumstances under which it may be proper to 

 feed colonies in the fall. In the chapter on Fall Manage- 

 ment, I will give directions for disposing of such as should 

 not be fed. It pays better to feed in spring than at any 

 other season, and there are more that need it then. Some 

 femilies having had light stores at the beginning of winter 

 have consumed about all. Some stocks, when brought 

 from their winter quarters, mix badly with others, and 

 occasionally most of the bees leave their own hive, and 

 join other stocks. Those left may not be able to defend 

 their stores, and will be robbed. 



I have known a few instances where there was eveiy 

 requisite for a good stock, and yet they were so imbecile 

 that they would not defend themselves, and allowed every 

 particle to be taken from them. Although there is a 

 strong temptation to let such starve, as a punishment for 

 want of energy, it usually pays to feed them. Bees may 



