FEEDING. 163 



side, the end near the front, leaving a space between 

 the sides of the pan and hive of about f inch, which 

 will give the bees free access to the feed. Care 

 must always be taken to keep the float loose, so as to 

 rise to the surface of the syrup ; sometimes when the 

 syrup is exhausted the bees stick it (the float) fast. 

 The most convenient vessel to use in the apiary for 

 holding syrup for feeding, is a can made in the form 

 of a watering pot, with a long spout, minus the 

 strainer; the size of this can be regulated by the 

 number of bees to be fed. When feeding in this 

 manner, if the bees are troublesome on opening the 

 door, a little smoke should bo blown amongst them, 

 which will drive them back, when you can proceed 

 to pour in the syrup, and again close up the hive. 

 No fear need be apprehended of robbers from feed- 

 ing in this manner. All well organized colonies, if 

 fed with regularity, will effectually guard their hive 

 from the encroachments of their marauding neigh- 

 bors ; it imparts to them an astonishing degree of 

 vigor and activity. 



In localities where few bees are kept, and the 

 space of a mile or more intervenes between apiaries, 

 the best mode of feeding is in large feed boxes; 

 this, however, should be varied to suit the number 

 of colonies to be fed. For an apiary of ten colonies, 

 a box 4 ft. long, 1 ft. Avide, and sides 3 in. high, or 2 

 in. deep inside. Get out stuff for box as follows : 

 bottom, 1 ft. wide, 4 ft. long, cut square and joint up 

 singly; side pieces, 4 ft. long, 3 in. wide; ends, 14 

 in. long, 3 in. wide; these should be planed up to 



