32 
BEE- CULTURE. 
If the colony is weak and the combs built only part way down, 
the feed box may be inserted under the combs and something 
placed^beneath it to raise it up against them where the bees 
might have the most easy access to it ; but if the hive be full 
of combs set the feed box on top of it ; first boring holes in 
the honey or top board for the bees to pass up. Set a cap or 
box over this to make sure that no bee can get at the honey 
except by coming up through the hive When first commenc- 
ing to feed in this way streak a little of the food in and 
about the holes in the top of the hive to coax the bees up. If 
only a little is to be fed, it could be done nicely by pouring it 
into the empty combs and placing it where it would be con- 
veniently accessible. But this is too slow a process when there 
are many to feed. Some have fed by saturating bread with 
honey or maple molasses and placing it among the bees. There 
are worse plans than this, as the bees would seem to eat a por- 
tion of the bread as bee-bread, 
WHEN TO FEED. . 
Always feed in the evening after the bees cease flying, that 
other bees may not get a taste. It will generally be all used 
up by the next morning, and robber bees will not be tempted 
by the odor. 
When commencing to feed, be determined that there shall 
not he a particle of honey spilled about the hives, where out- 
side bees can get a taste of it ; and that no bee shall go into 
the hive except at the small hole where the bees usually go out 
and in. By strictly observing this rule, bees may be fed al- 
most any amount, with almost entire certainty that no robbery 
will be committed. 
Never feed all of your bee? together outside their hives, 
as the ones that need the least generally get the most, and 
the neighboring bees, for a mile or more around, will find the 
food nearly as soon as your own ; and it excites to robbery, 
for the bees will rush in great numbers to obtain the honey, 
and when this is consumed they will approach every hive in 
the yard and vigorously test their strength to" prevent admit- 
tance, and if any one prove inadequate to the task, it is soon 
dispossessed of all its stores. 
OBJECTS TO BE AIMED AT IN FEEDING. 
The first is to save the bees from starvation. If the bees 
are fed in winter they must leave their cluster to get it when 
