WINTERING. 
533 
Snow should be removed from alighting-boards, for, 
although it is not to be feared while light and fleecy, 
it is likely to get partly thawed and re-frozen, when 
it would work mischief. If it cover the ground, and 
the sun commence to shine brightly, the glare upon 
it will frequently draw bees forth by the thousand, 
the majority of which will get too far chilled to regain 
home. Stop the glare, however, by placing a board 
in front of the door temporarily, or narrow the anti- 
robbing entrance (page 422) till no direct sunlight 
finds it way to the interior. 
If by any mischance a stock should be found 
apparently starved, try at once a very warm room, 
and sprinkling with thin syrup, when often those sup- 
posed to be dead will recover. Feeding with candy 
or barley sugar must then be continued till spring. 
Mr. McLain has recently reported very favourably 
of a special food he has prepared for building up 
stocks which have passed the winter and taken a 
good flight in the spring. It is fed in the same way 
as honey or syrup, and is intended to provide the 
elements essential in brood-rearing. His recommen- 
dation carries weight; but I have had no opportunity 
of trying it, and it appears to me to supply material 
in a form better suited to the assimilative powers of 
plants than of animals. The recipe is as follows: lolb. 
of sugar, J pint of dairy salt, two tablespoonfuls each 
of bicarbonate soda, rye flour, and finely-powdered 
bone ash, one tablespoonful of cream of tartar. Mix 
thoroughly, add two quarts of hot water, stir till dis- 
solved, and boil for two or three minutes only. 
