l68 FEEDING. 



and fetting it about the middle of the apiary, 

 The bees will foon flock about it in crowds, 

 and empty the comb: once in 24 hours 

 replenifh it. They will not come out to 

 feed in improper weather, though it conti- 

 nues for three or four days. Troughs of 

 food muft be fubftituted during bad wea- 

 ther. Nor muft public jeeding be practifecj 

 when otber apiaries are pretty near, as the 

 bees of thofe will equally partake with the 

 owner's. The bees will entirely neglect 

 public feeding, as foon as honey can be ob- 

 tained from flowers. 



At a public feeding much quarrelling will 

 happen, between thofe who are feeding, and 

 others that cannot approach near enough to 

 partake for the great crowd ; but it will be 

 unattended with mifchief — only mere box- 

 ing bouts, without ufmg their Jiings as in 

 fatal duels. 



Feeding (hould not be attempted % x\-c\ti\ the 

 robbing feafon is over. If any flocks before 

 that time are in diilrefs, they fhould have a 

 trough given them at night, and withdrawn 

 in the morning. 



The weighing, or poijing of hives, in Fe- 

 bruary, 



