56 THE BOOK OF BEE-KEEPING. 



own accord if they issue at the same time from hives contiguous 

 to each other. 



99. DifficTilty in Uniting Two Distinct Varieties. — 



Two distinct varieties of bees do not unite so easily as two of 

 the same race. This is most noticeable with Italians; it is much 

 the best plan to use scented syrup with these. 



100. Feeding. — When to feed, and how to feed, are ques- 

 tions of very great importance to the bee-keeper. By feeding 

 at an inopportune time much damage is done ; by not feeding, 

 the same results will most likely accrue. There are two most 

 important seasons when feeding must be done ; they are. Spring 

 and Autumn. Both these descriptions of feeding are totally 

 different in their mode of application, and also the description 

 of food supplied. We will therefore enumerate the various 

 systems in their proper order as the bee-keeper will be called 

 upon to practise them. 



101. Spring Feeding. — A hive at the commencement of 

 spring is in a very depopulated condition ; especially is this the 

 case when, through an excess of stores the previous autumn, 

 the queen has been restricted in her breeding space. Under 

 these circumstances there will be very few bees left in the hive 

 when spring arrives. The oldest bees of a community die first ; 

 as a consequence, the young ones are the most likely to live 

 through the winter and come out in the spring in the best 

 condition. If the number of these can be augmented by young 

 ones reared earlier in the spring than they would be in the 

 natural course of things a great gain will be made. Not only 

 is this done, but a hive can, by judicious feeding, be brought 

 into such a condition before the honey flow as it would be, if left 

 unattended, after such had commenced. It is well known that 

 bees, if left entirely to their own inclinations, are not in so 

 flourishing a condition when the honey flow sets in as they are 

 a short time after — therefore much honey is left to waste, as 

 there are not sufficient bees to collect it ; but if we can, 

 by a certain system of management, get our hives in as strong 

 a condition just before this event takes place, this early honey 

 will be saved to the bee-keeper. It is also of a quality far 

 superior to that gathered very late in the season, excepting 

 heather honey. At about six weeks before the expected honey 

 flow the graduated bottle-feeder is placed in its position upon 

 the top of the frames, but over the quilts, a hole being cut 

 through these to enable the bees to get to the under part of 

 the feeder and so obtain the syrup. The bottle is filled with 

 sugar syrup of the consistency as directed under the heading 

 "Spring Syrup" (par. 72). If the whole number of holes were 

 uncovered, so as to enable the bees to get an unlimited supply 



