180 AUSTRALASIAN 
must feed. For stimulating purposes the amount of food given 
does not so much matter as supplying it regularly ; half a pint 
of syrup or less given every twenty-four hours is ample. 
WHAT AND WHEN TO FEED. 
Next to sealed honey, a good syrup made from white sugar 
is the best food we can give. Candy is very good, and when 
run into a frame is handy for hanging in the centre of the 
cluster in winter. I have wintered bees on it, but I think on 
the whole a fairly thick syrup is best even in winter if placed 
convenient for the bees. Our winters in any part of Australasia 
are not so severe, however, as to prevent bees reaching food 
in any part of a hive. 
Recipe for Syrup.—To every pound of sugar add half-pint of 
water, put it into a saucepan and boil for a few minutes; keep 
stirring. This when cool is ready for use. 
Candy.—Take, say, 10lbs. of sugar, put in a little water 
(about three half-pints), mix well, and boil, keeping it well 
stirred to prevent burning. Boil until it is ready to sugar off. 
You can determine when this point is reached by putting some 
in a saucer ; or test it, as confectioners do, by dipping your 
finger in a cup of cold water, then in the candy, and back into 
the water again. When it breaks like egg-shells from the end 
of your finger it is just right. Take it off the fire at once, and 
as soon as it begins to harden round the sides keep stirring till 
it gets quite thick. Very great care must be taken to prevent 
the food from burning ; it is said burnt sugar is poison to bees. 
The candy can be made into cakes by pouring it into plates 
previously greased, or it may be poured into a frame by fasten- 
ing the frame down on a Hat board on which a sheet of paper 
has been spread to prevent the candy sticking to the board. 
The frame should rest on the board closely all round, so that 
the candy will not run underneath it. As soon as the candy is 
ready, pour it into aframe—a Langstroth frame will hold about 
8lbs. If made according to the directions it will be firm, dry, 
and opaque when cold, and will stick to the frame, so that it 
may be suspended in the hive like a frame of honey. It should 
be warmed a little in cold weather before being put in a hive. 
Cakes of candy can be placed on top of the frames under the 
mats, care being taken not to uncover the bees. 
