Feeding
In the spring, bees need water. If the tree blossoms are late in coming out, sirup is often fed to the bees to give them a start. Patented feeding devices are not necessary. A flat tin pan works admirably. The best sirup for all purposes is plain granulated sugar and water, made cold. Stir in all the sugar that the water will hold. Fill the feeding pan with excelsior first, then sirup, and place it in the super. Little ladders leading up to the top of the pan will help the bees get at the sirup.
Feeding is also practised in the fall if the amount of stored honey is short. The feeding of honey is likely to start the bees to robbing. Under no circumstances should “market” honey be fed to bees. Diseases are transmitted by this practice.
| PLANTS THAT FURNISH HONEY OR POLLEN OR BOTH | ||
| gill-over-the-ground | elm | } |
| shadbush | maple | } |
| tulip tree | dandelion | } spring. |
| willow | hawthorn | } |
| grape | red bud | } |
| sorrel | fruit trees | } |
| clovers (cultivated) | fig-wort | } |
| alfalfa | locust | } |
| wild sweet clover | basswood | } |
| raspberry | catnip | } summer. |
| bee-balm | horse mint | } |
| blueberry | mustard | } |
| chestnut | sage | } |
| corn | sumach | } |
| buckwheat | smartweed | } |
| spider flower | milk-weed | } |
| sunflowers | golden-rod | } fall. |
| fireweed | aster | } |
| rape | } | |