It has long been acknowledged that the best mode of feeding bees is through an opening at the top of the stock hive, as bees can thus take the food without coming abroad. Another important feature is the cleanliness with which liberal feeding can be accomplished; and few operations require more care than this does. If liquid sweet is left hanging about the hive it tempts robber bees, and when once the bees of an apiary have had a taste, there is no knowing where their depredations will stop. Even if no hives be completely destroyed, weakness from loss of numbers will be the portion of most, if not of all, the hives in the garden. The morals of our favourites are here a good deal at fault, for the stronger hives, when their inordinate passion is thus stirred up by the carelessness or want of knowledge of the bee-keeper, attack and prey upon the weaker ones. "To be forewarned is to be forearmed"--and "prevention is better than cure." [Illustration] The "Bottle Feeder," as shown in the annexed figure, consists of a round or flat bottle placed in an inverted position over the feed-hole of the stock hive, and resting in a circular block, below which is a piece of perforated zinc. The following directions will show how it is to be employed: Fill the bottle with liquid food; apply the net, affixed by an india-rubber band, over the mouth; place the block over the hole of the stock hive, and invert the bottle, the neck resting within the hole in the block: the bees will put their tongues through the perforations, and imbibe the food, thus causing the bottle to act on the principle of a fountain. The bottle being glass, it is easy to see when the food is consumed. The piece of perforated zinc is for the purpose of preventing the bees from clinging to the net, or escaping from the hive when the bottle is taken away for the purpose of refilling. Specially prepared pieces of vulcanite plate, pierced with holes in such manner as to give complete regulation to the supply of food, are much recommended by some apiarians. No net is then required, but as the plate is to be a fixture on the crown-board, the bottle should be inverted over a small shovel or some thin metal plate, which may then be withdrawn, leaving it standing upon the vulcanite. Occasional examination of the plate is however requisite, as the bees will sometimes stop up the holes with their propolis. We strongly recommend closely covering up this feeder with one of the middle-sized bell glasses, should the regular hive cover not be sufficiently tight. When bees are not kept in a bee-house this is particularly needful. [Illustration]