CHAPTER VIII 
Feeding 
In an erratic climate, such as that of Great 
Britain, bee-keeping includes among its -duties 
that of bee-feeding at certain periods of the 
year, if profit is to accrue. It must be re- 
membered that shortage of food when the 
bees are active means an inroad on their 
stores and a suspension of brood-rearing oper- 
ations. 
This applies most particularly to early 
spring when successful brood-rearing is ab- 
solutely necessary to ensure a profitable issue 
to the bee-keeper. If, therefore, there is a 
shortage of food then, the hive will be thrown 
backward to such an extent that the bees will 
have no time to gather surplus stores for the 
bee-keeper’s benefit. All their strength will 
go to supply the necessities of brood-rearing. 
The honey-flow over, with their store so small 
that it serves their needs but a short time— 
for much food is consumed in summer—the 
bees then begin the pernicious system of rob- 
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