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WHEN AND HOW TO FEED.
Experienced beekeepers can judge in a moment by the weight of the hive, without opening it, whether the supply of food is running short or not, and every beekeeper should learn to do this. By putting one foot on the back of the bottom board to keep it steady, and with one hand raising the back of the hive, one can get the weight at once, and after a little practice can judge to within 1 lb. the amount of honey inside. In this way a large number of hives can be examined in ten or fifteen minutes, and those needing food should be marked.
The safest and best food to give, unless frames of honey from known clean hives are available, is sugar-syrup. Make it as described in Chapter IV, under the heading of ‘‘ Feeding and Disinfecting.’’ Never purchase honey or accept it as a gift to feed your bees with—it is too risky, and to sterilise it would require two or three hours’ boiling, which would be more trouble than the honey would be worth.
FEEDERS.
There are several kinds of feeders advertised by those who cater for beekeepers. Clean, empty combs make excellent feeders, and they can be filled by placing them on an inclined board in a large milk-dish or other similar vessel, and pouring the syrup through a fine strainer held a foot or so above them. The force of the falling syrup expels the air from the cells, and the syrup takes its place. After filling, the combs should be suspended over a vessel (to catch the drip) before placing them in the hives.
There are “division-board” feeders to hang in the hive like frames, and others to place over the frames, such as the “Miller” and “Simplicity” feeders; also the “Alexander” feeder under the bottom board, either of which will answer the purpose, provided attention is given to replenishing the food when needed. The inexperienced should always feed within the hive, and in the evening.
Finally, remember that a little food given in the spring to tide the bees over a spell of bad weather will save them to give you a large return in honey later on, whereas neglect in this respect will result in their loss.
