380 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
more acid ; for the vinegar is an uncertain quantity, 
as its effect depends upon the very variable amount of 
acetic acid it contains, and tartaric or citric acids may 
well replace it : Joz. of either being quite sufficient 
to convert, with ten minutes’ boiling, 81 b. of sugar. 
Instead of either of the foregoing, 40 drops of 
sulphuric acid may be used to the aforesaid 81 b. of 
sugar, the acid being, if the bee-keeper so desire, 
removed, by the addition, with careful stirring, just 
before taking from the fire, of a little powdered chalk, 
which is formed into calcic sulphate, to settle during 
cooling. Sulphuric acid in this amount is, however, 
not injurious, and may even be an advantage (see 
“ Diseases”). 
Salt is often recommended to be added to syrup 
for bees ; and it is stated that they have a craving 
for this substance. I am disposed to regard this idea 
as a mistake, and water containing salt I have found 
neglected where water free of it was at hand, this 
being especially true if two sources of supply are 
given within the hive. The bee-keeper can do no 
harm by adding salt sparingly to his syrup, but he 
will find it difficult to give a reason for the practice. 
Dark, and otherwise inferior, honey, because not 
marketable, may often be used as bee food with 
economy; but honey is not so desirable as sugar 
syrup, as its aroma excites neighbouring stocks, and 
is likely to induce robbing. In times of scarcity, bees 
will follow a promising scent with astonishing reso- 
lution, and I have known quite a number to descend 
a chimney 25ft. long because wax was being melted 
on the fire beneath. 
