236 MANNER OF ADMINISTERING THE FOOD. 



its being seldom within the reach of the cottager, who 

 generally disposes of his honey, as soon as he has obtained 

 possession of it. The cheapest and best kind of food for the 

 cottager, and indeed we may add for the more opulent pro- 

 prietor, is a compound of ale, moist sugar, and a small 

 quantity of salt, in the following proportions : To two 

 quarts of ale, put one pound and a half of coarse moist 

 sugar, and about half an ounce of salt. Bring the mass to 

 a boil, skimming it the whole of the time ; and when the 

 sugar is wholly dissolved, pour the liquid into an earthen 

 vessel, and let it stand till it be cold. It ought then to 

 possess the viscous consistency of honey, and when a 

 portion is lifted with a spoon, it ought to be ropy and glu- 

 tinous, for if it be too thin, it will be apt to run out of the 

 combs. In order to give the mixture a greater degree of 

 consistency, about half a pound of treacle, incorporated 

 and boiled with the other ingredients, will be found of 

 great service. 



In regard to the manner of administering the food, the 

 method must necessarily vary according to the make and 

 fashion of the hive. In the common cottage hive, the follow- 

 ing is the process. An eek must be provided of the same 

 circumference as the hive, which can easily be obtained by 

 cutting off the three lower bands of an old hive, taking only 

 the precaution not to let the bands be in that rotten or 

 decayed condition as to sink with the weight of the hive. 

 Fill a soup plate with the mixture, and place it on the 

 pedestal of the hive. If the proprietor can obtain an assistant 

 in this operation, the execution of it will be far more easy 

 and expeditious. Let one person gently lift the hive ; let 

 the other place the eek on the pedestal, with the plate of 

 food in the middle ; the hive may then be placed on the eek, 

 and the bees left to regale on the banquet provided for them. 

 The plate must be removed early in the morning, whether 

 the bees have consumed the food or not 5 for the bees are 



