The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-10-21
FEEDING BEES.

Within the last few years. an Increasing in
terest in the public mind has been manifested,
on the subject of keeping and managing bees.
Nor is 1t a matter of surprise, in view of the
pleasure and profit to be derived from this
branch of labor To examine with care the
nature and habits of this industrious little in
sect and to afford them those little attentions
they require for their protection and comfort
is very agreeable pastime.
When judiciously managed, there is no haz-
ard in saying that there is no branch of bust
Ness that will give one equal income in proper
ton to the capital invested Bees may be man
aged so as to give very large profit.
But they must be managed, and not left to
take care of themselves. No business can be
profitable if neglected.
Feeding has been resorted to, to some ex-
tent within a few years When done under
stnndlngly, there is no doubt of its utility.
But it has been cracked up too highly, and
in some instances carried too far
Unsuitable feed has been given and some
times feeding has been commenced without
regard to the season, OF the condition of the
colony. The result has been, the colonies have
been seriously injured, and the owners have
suffered loss A colony short for food in the
winter or spring, should be fed sufficiently to
give them AN ample supply in the interior OF
the hive, but not enough to entirely fill tho
comb.
Many persons experienced in the manage
ment OF bees, are Of the opinion that If over Ted
they will entirely fill the hive not excepting
the brood comb, and thereby prevent the in
crease of the colony; and il they do not null
tply they will soon run out Therefore, COM
parativey little feeding should be done until
q ~, wall
The season for gathering honey from flow
ers, to any considerable extent, IL very short
and during that short season, the practice OF
feeding exclusively is questionable.
But from swarming time until cold weather,
feeding may be carried on with energy; and,
indeed, during cold weather, it may be done
with some success, by carrying them into
warm room. Yet there are doubts whether
much can be done ploitably, beyond filling
their empty comb.
1t is not mere theory, but a settled fact. that
feeding ~ Of utility. 1t may be made profit
able. a young swarm by the use OF feed may
be filled ut once, and become IA strong colony.
But the precaution should be made, when full,
to remove the feeder, and give them chance
to Increase, and to lay in Il supply OF bread.
Swarms that would perish in winter for want of
honey, with "A few shiings worth of feed may
be preserved, and become strong and valuable
colonies
With the use of the feeder, ut comparative
ly small expense, the apiaran may fill all his
hives with cheap and wholesome feed, late in
the fall, and III consequence the bees will
commence filing the boxes with the precious
honey very early the following season and
while they would be filling the empty comb in
the interior of the hive, they will be at work
in the boxes.
BY selecting the strong wel-establi,hed col
onies, and applying the feeder, larger quanti-
ties Of excellent honey for domestic use may DO
obtained.
In view Of the above facts, VIC say again,
Feeding bees is of utility 1t may be made
profitable"
Yet we would not have any one expect to
make large fortune at once in this business
Men, in their business transactions and schemes
of labor, look for remuncrating profit We
claim for this business Il large remunerating
profit for tho amount of labor and capital in
vested j. f.