274 
THE HIVE AND HONET-BEE. 
state, moist, as it comes from the faclory. In the latter condition 
bees consume it slowly, and, as there is not Ihe waste that occurs 
when candy is fed, I think it is better winter-food.’ 
“The Rev. Mr. Sholz, of Silesia, recommends the following as 
a substitute for sugar-candy in feeding bees : 
“‘Take one pint of honey and four pounds of pounded lump- 
sugar; heat the honey, without adding water, and mix it with 
the sugar, working it together to a stiff doughy mass. When tlius 
thoroughly incorporated, cut it into slices, or form it into cakes or 
lumps, and wrap them in a piece of coarse linen and place them 
in the frames. Thin slices, enclosed in linen, may be pushed 
down between the combs. The plasticity of the mass enables 
the Apiarian to apply the food in any manner he may desire. 
The bees have less difficulty in appropriating this kind of food 
than where candy is used, and there is no wasle.’ 
“ Mr. Kleine grates* candy, for a winter bee-food, into cells 
previously dampened with sweetened water.” 
It is impossible to say how much lioney will be needed 
to carry a colony safely through the Winter. Much will 
depend (see Chapter on Wintering Bees) on the way in 
which they are tvintered, whether in the open air or in 
special depositaries, where they are protected against the 
undue excitement caused by sudden and severe atmos¬ 
pheric ch.anges; much, also, on the length of the Winters, 
which vary so much in different latitudes, and the for¬ 
wardness of the ensuing Spring. In some of our Northern 
States, bees will often gather nothing for more than six 
months, while, in the extreme South, they are seldom 
deprived of all natural supplies for as many weeks. In 
all our Northern and Middle States, if the stocks are to 
• Qramilated loaf-sugar would probably make a good bee-feod, and, by wetting 
tUc combs after It bus been sifted Into tboin, it might easily bo made to stay in tlio 
colls. Neither sugar nor candy can be used by bees unle&s they have water to dis¬ 
solve them. 
I have seen bees flock by thousands around the mills where the Chinese sugar¬ 
cane {Sorghum) was being ground. Tho value, as a btfo-lbotl, the raw Juice and 
the syrup should be carefully tested. 
