154 FE0BING BEES. 



much loss is sustained when bees rob and kill each other. This caution 

 is necessary whenever feeding is necessary. In spring all colonies 

 should be contracted by close fitting division boards; the combs being 

 removed, except so many as the bees cover well Every few days insert 

 an empty comb or sheet of comb-foundation in the centre of the brood- 

 nest. Hives are thus built up very rapidly. If weak, or stores are in- 

 sufficeint, they should be stimulated by regular feeding in addition. If 

 there is present a plenty of sealed honey, they are stimulated in using 

 it, if j'ou shave off the caps a little at a time, from one of the outside 

 combs. If stores are scarce, they should be stimulated by feeding thin 

 sugar syrup, in small auger hole feeders, placed under the quilt, and 

 filled by raising the flap from the hole in the quilt. They are thus 

 stimulated to regular brood-rearing, when they would not enter feeders 

 placed above the quilt for two or three days, in a cold spell. Good 

 sugar syrup is much better than honey at this season of the year, be- 

 cause it does not so much induce robbing, whereby many bees are killed 

 which can be illy spared at this important season. But we advise cau- 

 tion in the use of cheap grape sugar, because it often contains so much 

 sulphuric acid as to ruin the bees. When bees fly before natural pollen 

 is gathered, they should be fed with flour, as a substitute. 



If no water is near, bees should, in summer, be watered regularly 

 every day. A shallow trough with pebbles answers well. A good way 

 is to invert large glass jars in plates. Only a small amount of water 

 escapes around the mouth, and this is renewed as the bees suck it up. 

 The glass is convenient to see the depth of water. 



During honey droughts in summer, but little brood is reared, unless 

 the queen is stimulated to activity by regular feeding. But if systematic 

 feeding is pursued, especially with weak swarms, the hives are filled 



