FEEDING. 135 



repel au attack. Sometimes a part of the bees will be too 

 weak to remain among the combs, and will be seen lying 

 on the bottom, while a few will be outside. If the weather 

 is cool, they Vill be apparently lifeless ; yet they can be 

 revived, and now must be fed. 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 scat- 

 tered bees, and put them in. Get some honey, if candied, 

 heat it tiU it dissolves ; comb honey is not so good unless 

 broken up ; pour a quantity among the combs, directly on 

 the bees ; cover the bottom of the hive with a cloth, se- 

 curing it firmly, aiid bring to the fire to warm. If no 

 honey is at hand, sugar may be used instead ; add a little 

 water, boU until near the consistency of honey, and skim 

 it ; when cool enough, use the same as honey. 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 run out around the bottom. The 

 necessity of a daily visit to the hives is apparent from the 

 fact that, if left for only a day or two in the situation just 

 described, it wiU be too late to revive them. 



At nigbt, if you have a box cover, such as recommended, 

 you may open the holes in the top of the hive, fill a dish 

 with honey or syrup, and set it on the top ; put in some 

 shavings, cut straw, or a float made of very light wood, 

 very thin, and full of holes, or narrow channels made with 

 a saw, to keep the bees from drowning. When you begin 

 to feed, scatter a few drops on the top of the hive, down 

 into it, and on the side of the dish to teach them the way. 

 When the weather is warm enough, for them to take it 

 during the night, it is best to feed at evening — from four 

 to eight ounces daily is sufficient. If the family is very 

 small, what honey is left in the morning, may be taken by 

 robbers. It is then best to take it out, or carry the hive 

 into a dark room, sufficiently warm, and feed them enough 



