and Us Economic Management. 131 



Feeding without Feeders 



is something that needs our attention before closing this chapter. 

 Of the various methods offered for filling stock combs with syrup, 

 to be placed in the centre of the brood nest for stimulation, or 

 near the outside for storing, no plan can be so effective and 

 simple as that employed by Mr. W. Raitt, of Scotland. He uses 

 a common syringe, placing the comb in a drip pan, while driving 

 the syrup into the cells. The filled combs are carried to the 

 hives requiring them, while sometimes a chamber is filled up with 

 them and placed bodily under the stock chamber which has to 

 be stored. 



A simple method of giving " dry sugar " is that of first placing 

 a layer of strainer cloth upon the frames ; the sugar above that, 

 and pressed into a compact mass, with the usual quilting next that, 

 nicely tucked up to keep all warm. Common paper will do in 

 place of the straining cloth if two or three holes are first made 

 through to give the bees a start. 



It should be distinctly understood that 



No Feeding whatever is to take place in Winter. 



Candy is often recommended, but it is far better to unite to a 

 well-stored stock in the autumn than to feed in any way during the 

 months of repose. If a stock is found deficient in stores at the 

 latter part of winter, then give combs of sealed food with as little 

 disturbance as possible ; placing such flat on top of the frames 

 and covering up warm if the weather is very bad ; or, failing 

 sealed stores, make a thick paste of powdered loaf sugar and the 

 smallest quantity possible of honey, just to bind it together. This 

 also can be laid close on the frames ; and in either case the bees 

 will be brought along until a dose of warm syrup can be given 

 rapidly. 



F 2 



