412 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
no mess, and is less troublesome, while the bees 
utilise the contained honey if it be placed near to 
brood, and free the cells, at the same time, for the 
use of the queen. 
Mr. Simmins, in order to induce brood-production, 
would put a dry-sugar feeder, holding 31b., on each 
side of the brood-nest, replenishing as needed ; while 
those who use syrup would adopt some of the devices 
for regulating the rate of consumption. With dry 
sugar many bees are constantly struggling to load up, 
by licking sugar crystals, and a regular, but moderate, 
influx of store is the result ; while with the Raynor 
feeder, e.g,^ a similar effect is produced by means 
already explained. The large bottle of syrup directed 
to be given to those found needy at the first exami- 
nation in March is to be “fed rapidly,^’ because 
it is desired that this shall not stimulate to brood- 
raising, but increase store. Syrup thus given is hastily 
carried down by the bees, and deposited in the nearest 
place (the brood-nest), so that the unburthened 
labourer may return to the temporary “ land of 
plenty ” for a fresh load. The queen, instead of being 
incited to more rapid ovipositing, as a result of the 
incoming supplies, simply has the cells, which other- 
wise would have remained open for her service, 
closed against her. Before any permanent animation 
is produced, the supply is gone, and all lapses into 
its previous condition ; but with continuous slow feed- 
ing, where only two or three bees can fill their honey- 
sacs at one time, how different is the effect ! Food 
comes in slowly it is true, but the supply is constant 
— dav bv dav the store increases, and the thriftv 
