BEE MANUAL. 181 



The best time to feed syrup is just before dusk. Feeding is 

 sure to cause some excitement amongst the bees, and if it is 

 given in the daytime numbers of them will fly out in an 

 excited manner and so attract the attention of other bees, 

 which may cause robbing. Candy may be placed in the hive 

 at any time. The food for stimulative purposes should be 

 given every evening. 



HOW TO FEED SYRUP. 



Food should always be given to a colony in such a manner 

 as to be out of the reach of strange bees. A number of dif- 

 ferent kinds of feeders are made for holding syrup ; some for 

 placing on top of the frames, others for hanging on the hive, but 

 only one that I know for placing outside. Undoubtedly the 

 safest plan is to place all food within the hive, where it can 

 best be protected by the inmates. Perhaps the most simple 

 and handiest feeder is the " Simplicity" (Fig. 91), for standing 



Fig, 91.— " SIMPLICITY " FEEDER, 



•on top of the frame under the mat. As usually made, it is 

 «ut out of a solid piece of wood 1ft. long, 3in. wide, by 2in. 

 deep. The grooves are cut with a circular saw. I have made 

 them by cutting the grooves with a plough and nailing ends on 

 afterwards. The partitions afford a foothold for the bees and 

 prevent them getting drowned in the syrup. In wide feeders 

 a thin float should be used. In top feeding the mats must be 

 so arranged as to leave no part of the frames uncovered. 



Empty combs can be utilised as feeders, and I am very much 

 in favour of these, as they can be hung in the centre of the 

 cluster of bees. They can be filled by laying them on an 



