THE APIARY, 
395 
pass up, and return by a tube-like opening, as at cf, 
Fig. 98. 
Mr. Simmins’ dry-sugar feeder is iMn. wide, 
and the size of a standard frame. The back and 
front reduce the interspace to lin., giving room 
for 31b. of a moist sugar, Porto Rico being recom- 
mended. This space must not be increased unless it 
be divided, or the bees will build comb in it. The 
front reaches to within Jin. of the top bar, and is 
hinged at the lower corners on wire nails, which are 
driven through the sides. Or one-half only of the 
front is removable for filling, after which a button 
secures the charge. Mr. Simmins remarks that with 
these feeders sugar is given “in a manner that causes 
far greater stimulation to the bees than any plan of 
feeding with syrup. The trouble of making syrup 
is dispensed with, and the feeders are always ready 
for use at a moment’s notice. The system is of 
immense value in all large apiaries, and in those at 
a distance from home. In many cases, no other feed- 
ing is necessary ; but where any colony is likely to 
run short previous to April ist, let it have sufficient 
syrup, in one dose, to last until that date.” That this 
feeding stimulates completely cannot be doubted; but 
my use of these feeders leads me to remark that, in 
dry, easterly winds,* during April and May especially, 
.the bees are lost in great numbers in living for water. 
This flying is largely stopped if water be given within 
the hive, when a good colony will take quite a pint 
daily. The use of American cloth to condense moisture 
* ]\Ir. Simmins’ apiary would have a more humid atmosphere than that 
of most inland places. iSfy position is a dry and over-drained one. 
