past the sentinel on watch. An improvement, and a very simple one, in the formation of the doors, will increase the difficulty of eluding the vigilance of the guard; make them 1½ inch thick, the small apertures will then be to the bees, in fact, long narrow passages, along which they will be unable to make their way in the face of the opposing sentinel. Doors of this kind should remain on the hives during the whole winter. If the precaution above recommended fails, the hive attacked must be removed for a few days, till quiet is in some degree restored to the apiary; and, in the meantime, to amuse and baffle the assailants, an empty hive may occupy the station. No stock-hive ought at this season to require feeding. Still, circumstances may occur, as in the case of long-continued bad weather during the end of autumn, which may render some supply beneficial and even necessary. In such cases, the best mode of administering it, is to raise the hive which is to be assisted, on a round or square frame of wood, two or three inches deep, and place in the vacuum thus produced, two or three pieces of full comb on edge, and in their natural position. The bees will soon drain them, storing the contents in the upper region of their domicile, after which the frame and empty comb may be removed. In default of comb, syrup must be supplied, as directed in page 186.
It is almost needless to say, that feeding during winter is out of the question, even though the season should be mild. It is unnecessary, and would prove injurious, tempting the insects to leave the compara-
