FEEDING. 357 



a better purpose than clean straw. With such a feeder, bees 

 may be safely fed with dissolved sugar-candy, even in the 

 depth of Winter; since it may be covered with thick cotton 

 or wool, so as to retain the animal heat of the bees, which 

 will freely ascend into it from the hive. The lid may have 

 wire hinges, or slide in a groove, or simply lay on the box. 

 For a water-feeder, in early Spring, this contrivance will be 

 found to be very complete. It will probably be patented in due 

 season. A drawing of this feeder, will be given on the 

 plate representing the various Implements used in the 

 Apiary. 



Water is absolutely indispensable to bees when building 

 comb, or raising brood. In the early Spring, they take ad- 

 vantage of the first warm weather, to bring it to their hives, 

 and may be seen busily drinking around pumps, drains, and 

 other moist places. As they are not noticed to frequent such 

 spots, except in the early part of the season, many suppose 

 that they need water only at this period. This is a great 

 mistake, for they need and must have it, during the whole 

 breeding season. But as soon as the grass starts, and the 

 trees are covered with leaves, they prefer to sip the dew 

 from them. If a few days of continued cold come on, after 

 the bees have commenced breeding, preventing them from 

 going abroad for water, a serious check will often be given 

 to their operations. Even when the cold does not confine 

 them to the hive, many become so chilled in their search 

 for water, that they are unable to return. 



The Apiarian should see that his bees have an abundant 

 supply of water. If he has not some warm and sunny spot 

 where he can safely obtain it, he will furnish them with 

 shallow wooden troughs or vessels filled with floats or straw, 

 from which, sheltered from cold winds, and warmed by the 

 genial rays of the sun, they can drink without risk of drown- 



