FEEDING 87 
water than that given in the spring. The 
reason for this needs but slight consideration. 
In springtime when the days become increas- 
ingly warmer, and the temperature of the hive 
increases with the growth of the population, 
the bees need thinner food. The increasing 
heat of the hive would ripen thick nectar or 
syrup too quickly and give the bees extra work 
in collecting water with which to thin the 
food for the brood. In autumn, however, 
the tendency is to a falling temperature, and, 
though brood may be reared, the temperature 
of the external atmosphere will keep that in 
the hive down to the normal. 
Syrup for autumn feeding made according 
to the following formula will be found to 
meet all requirements :— 
Cane Sugar ‘ ‘ . 10 Ib. 
Water . : 5 pints 
Salt : Eo ‘ T OZ. 
Vinegar. : : : 1 tablespoonful 
When feeding bees for the winter all supers 
of frames should be removed from the hives, 
otherwise the bees are liable to form two 
clusters, and it is generally the case in such 
an event that one of these falls a prey to cold 
when severe weather comes. The supers above 
