124 FEEDING. 



light hives can be distinguished. This is another advan- 

 tage of the simple hive ; by merely raising one edge to 

 destroy worms, we learn something about the quantity of 

 honey on hand. To be very exact, the hive should be 

 weighed when ready for the bees, and the weight marked 

 on it; by weighing at any time after, we can ascertain 

 pretty nearly the amount of honey. Some allowance must 

 be made for the age of the combs, quantity of brood, etc. 

 It is wrong to begin to feed without bemg prepared to 

 continue, as the supply must be kept up until honey is 

 abundant. 



DESTITITTE COLONIES SOMETIMES DBSEKT. 



When one has the means to continue feeding, and time 

 requisite to make it secure, perhaps it would not be ad- 

 visable to wait till the last extremity before feeding, as a 

 small family wiU sometimes entirely desert the hive, when 

 destitute, especially if they have but little brood. In these 

 cases, they issue precisely as a swarm ; after flying a long 

 time, they either return or unite with some other stock, 

 but seldom cluster. If they return, they need attention 

 immediately, and we may be certain there is something 

 Avrong, let the desertion take place when it may. In 

 spring, the cause may be destitution, or mouldy combs ; 

 at other times, the presence of worms, diseased brood, etc. 

 But whatever the cause, ascertain it, and apply the remedy. 



WHEN THET MUST BE EED. 



If it is wished to wait as long as possible before feeding, 

 a test wUl be necessaiy to decide how long it will do to 

 delay it. Strict attention must he given ; they wiU need 

 examination every morning. If a light tap on the hive is 

 answered by a lively buzzing, they are not sufiering yet ; 

 but if no answer is made to this inquiry, it indicates weak- 

 ness. Extreme destitution takes away all disposition to 



