FEEDING. 
267 
CHAPTER XIY. 
DIRECTIONS FOR FEEDING BEES. 
Few things in practical bee-keeping are more important 
tl> an the feeding of bees; yet none have been more 
grossly mismanaged or neglected. Since the sulphur-pit 
has been discarded, thousands of feeble colonies starve in 
the Winter, or early Spring; while often, when an unfa- 
vorable Summer is followed by a severe Winter and late 
Spring, many persons lose most of their stocks, and 
abandon bee-keeping in disgust. 
In the Spring, the prudent hee-Jceeper will no more 
neglect to feed his destitute colonies, than to provide for 
his own table. At this season, being stimulated by the 
returning warmth, and being largely engaged in breed- 
ing, bees require a liberal supply of food, and many 
populous stocks perish, which might have been saved with 
but trifling trouble or expense.* 
“ If e’er dark Autumn, with untimely storm, 
The honey’d harvest of the year deform ; 
Or the chill blast from Eurus’ mildew wing, 
Blight the fair promise of returning Spring ; 
Full many a hive, but late alert and gay, 
Droops in the lap of all-inspiring May.” — Evans. 
* “ If the Spring Is not favornblo to bees, they should be fed, because that is tlio 
season of their grentost expense in honoy, for feeding their young. Having plenty 
at that time, enables them to yield earlyand strong swarms.’’ — W ilduan. 
A hoc-keeper, whose stocks are allowed to perish after the Spring has opened, is 
on a level with a funner whose cattle are allowed to starve in their stalls ; while 
those who withhold from them the needed aid, in seasons when they cannot gather 
a supply, resemble the merchant who burns up his ships, if they have made au 
unfavorable voyage. 
Columella gives minute Instructions for feeding needy stocks, and quotes approv- 
