40 THE BOOK OF BEE-KEEPING. 



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 tirne without injury ; we have 

 one now that has been in the box a fortnight. Swarms are best 

 packed in a box having large holes at least 6in. square (larger 

 if the box is very crowded), on each side, covered with perfor- 

 ated zinc. Driven bees must be packed in the same description 

 of cages as swarms. 



68. Fra,uie Ends. — At one time the varieties of these were 

 legion, but at the present time no end can bear comparison in any 

 way with that known as the "W.B.C." This is an end made of 

 sheet tin, stamped and folded by machinery. Though answering 

 the purposes, in the most effective manner, for which a metal end 

 is so necessary, yet, owing to the ingenious way in which it is 

 manufactured, it weighs less than if the ends of the frames were 

 made of wood. 



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. Syrup. — 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 



