Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/192

188 deficiency. No branch of bee-management requires more attention than the feeding operation, and very many hives, we fear, are irretrievably injured by the injudicious manner in which supplies of food are administered. Giving them in a cold state, or in a state of fermentation, or at improper periods, costs every year the lives of thousands of bees. No food should be given in spring till the bees shew by their coming abroad, that it may be offered them with perfect safety. A simple mode of feeding is by means of a small drawer, having a float pierced with holes, inserted in the thickness of the floor-board, at the back of the hive. Liquid honey, or syrup of sugar, a little warm, may be poured into this drawer in the evening, after the bees have retired in-doors from the labours of the day. It is taken up immediately, and the smell is completely gone before the morning. It is of very material importance in feeding, to guard against the admission of stranger bees to the feeding vessel. This may be effected by shutting up the hive completely after the feeding-drawer, above described, has been inserted, allowing only the admission of air. One circumstance, however, may render this precaution abortive; some of the liquid may be, and very often is, accidentally spilt in pushing the trough inwards, the consequence of which is, that the smell of the syrup, when the hive is opened, will attract