158 
SPRING. 
tered on tlie top of the hive and trailed to the side of 
the dish, to teach them the way ; after feeding a few 
times, they will know the road. When the weather 
is warm enough for them to take it during the night, 
it is best to feed at evening, — from four to eight ounces 
daily, is sufficient. If the family is very small, what 
honey is left in the morning may attract other bees ; 
it is then best to take it out, or carry the hive in the 
house to a dark room, sufficiently warm, and feed them 
enough to last several days, and then return them to 
the stand ; keeping a good lookout that they are not 
plundered, and again in a starving condition, until 
flowers produce honey sufficient. 
WHOLE FAMILIES MAY DESERT THE HIVE. 
When you have the means to keep up a supply of 
food, and time requisite to make feeding secure, per- 
haps it would not be advisable to wait till the last 
extremity before feeding, as a small family will some- 
times entirely desert the hive, when destitute, if it oc- 
curs before they have much brood. In these cases, they 
issue precisely as a swarm ; after flying a long time, 
they either return, or unite with some other stock. 
If thev return, they need attention immediately. You 
may be certain there is something wrong, let the de- 
sertion take place whim it- may ; in spring it may be 
destitution, or mould combs ; at other times the 
presence of worms, diseased brood, &c. By whatever 
cause it is produced,' ascertain it, and apply the rem- 
edy. 
