40 THE BOOK OF BEE-KEEPING. 



Other; the division thus formed is cut away with a sharp knife; this 

 forms a long narrow hole across the end of the blocl^. At the 

 bottom of each division between these three holes a tunnel is cut, 

 thus connecting all three together. In the narrow hole food is 

 placed and covered over by a piece of thin wax to prevent its 

 evaporating. This food is made by mixing finely powdered loaf 

 sugar with honey until it is about the consistency of putty. It is 

 called " Good Candy." Along each side of this block three longi- 

 tudinal grooves are made, and in these grooves, at each side of 

 the hole furthest away from the food, six small holes are bored 

 through in to this hole for the purpose of ventilation. A thin wood 

 lid covers all. When a queen and about half-a-dozen workers are 

 placed in they can obtain a varying temperature according to the 

 changes outside ; thus, if the weather is cold, they can cluster in 

 the hole without the ventilators, or, on the contrary, can go into the 

 one with plenty of ventilation, the food being placed nearest the 

 warm chamber is easy of access in each instance. Queens thus 

 packed will live a very considerable time without injury . 



68. Makes of Standard-size Prame. — There are several 

 makes of the standard-size frame on the market, the one most 

 generally used being dove-tailed, and with a saw-cut in the top 

 bar to take the foundation. This frame can be made up quite 

 easily, though it is wise to put a very fine nail through each ot the 

 joints. 



69. Bee-Houses. — These are generally very awkward 

 contrivances and a great nuisance. No doubt if a very con- 

 siderable expenditure was made, a bee-house could be built 

 with advantage to the bee-keeper, and also to the bees ; but 

 unless a house is made of sufficient height and size for the 

 bee-keeper to stand upright and have plenty of elbow-room in, 

 it had better be left undone. Much better to have your hives in 

 the open, where they can be manipulated with ease and comfort. 



VIII.— FOOD- 

 IT will be found very essential, at certain times and seasons, 

 to feed the bees with artificial foods, a description of which 

 and recipes for making are therefore of great importance. Any 

 sugar food that may be burnt must on no account be given to 

 the bees. 



70. Symp. — Sugar is provided in this form to the bees 

 that it may be used directly as a substitute for honey, and will 

 be found equally as valuable to them. During autumn the 

 syrup to be fed must be of a much thicker consistency than 

 at any other time ; the reason for this is that by giving it to 



