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regulator and give them a full entrance for two or 
three hours, during which time they will take a good 
airing, and then the regulator may be brought down to 
the gauge, giving them about an inch in the lower left 
hand corner of the regulator. A few swarms set out 
at a time will be better than many, as they will be less 
likely to rob. The hive should tip forward a little to 
prevent the water running back into it from the 
entrance. Care must now be observed in regard to 
their having plenty of honey ; it is supposed that 
enough was given them in September or October to 
last them into May, buf for fear it was not done, they 
had better be looked over and see if they are brooding, 
and have plenty of honey, &c. Should they need 
honey, if you have any in frames, these may be put in 
the place of those that they have taken the honey from ; 
and such combs may be saved until swarming time and 
put into hives with young swarms, saving them the 
honey and trouble of building new combs. If you have 
no such combs, then feed in a dish containing comb, over 
which turn liquid honey. If honey is lacking the 
syrup of the sugar maple is a very good substitute ; 
that made from the first run of sap is best ; pure sugar 
candy, without scenting or coloring, is very good, and in 
fact it is next to sealed honey. In feeding bees while 
in winter quarters, cane syrups are not safe ; a medium 
grade of cane sugar made into a syrup by adding a 
little water, boiling and skimming it, will do very well. 
Should there be a deficiency of bee-bread, this may be 
supplied by placing in a small dish in the chamber, 
some rye meal or buckwheat flour, and they will 
quickly carry it below. As soon as the willows, the 
elms or soft maples put forth their buds they will 
