180 AUSTRALASIAN 



must feed. For stimulating purposes the amount of food given 

 does not so much, matter as supplying it regularly ; half a pint 

 of syrup or less given every twenty-four hours is ample. 



WHAT AND WHEN TO FEED. 



Next to sealed honey, a good syrup made from white sugar 

 is the best food we can give. Candy is very good, and when 

 run into a frame is handy for hanging in the centre of the 

 cluster in winter. I have wintered bees on it, but I think on 

 the whole a fairly thick syrup is best even in winter if placed 

 convenient for the bees. Our winters in any part o.f Australasia 

 are not so severe, however, as to prevent bees reaching food 

 in any part of a hive. 



Recipe for Syrup. — To every pound of sugar add half-pint of 

 water, put it into a saucepan and boil for a few minutes ; keep 

 stirring. This when cool is ready for use. 



Candy. — Take, say, lOlbs. of sugar, put in a little water 

 (about three half pints), mix well, and boil, keeping it well 

 stirred to prevent burning. Boil until it is ready to sugar off. 

 You can determine when this point is reached by putting some 

 in a saucer ; or test it, as confectioners do, by dipping your 

 finger in a cup of cold water, then in the candy, and back into 

 the water again. When it breaks like egg-shells from the end 

 of your finger it is just right. Take it off the fire at once, and 

 as soon as it begins to harden round the sides keep stirring till 

 it gets quite thick. Very great care must be taken to prevent 

 the food from burning ; it is said burnt sugar is poison to bees. 

 The candy can be made into cakes by pouring it into plates 

 previously greased, or it may be poured into a frame by fasten- 

 ing the frame down on a flat board on which a sheet of paper 

 has been spread to prevent the candy sticking to the board. 

 The frame should rest on the board closely all round, so that 

 the candy will not run underneath it. As soon as the candy is 

 ready, pour it into a frame— a Langstroth frame will hold about 

 81bs. If made according to the directions it will be firm, dry, 

 and opaque when cold, and will stick to the frame, so that it 

 may be suspended in the hive like a frame of honey. It should 

 be warmed a little in cold weather before being put in a hive. 

 Cakes of candy can be placed on top of the frames under the 

 mats, care being taken not to uncover the bees. 



