RECEIPT FOR FEED.
To eight pounds of coffee-crushed sugar, add two quarts of soft water, and whites of two eggs, bring to a boiling point over a slow fire, being very careful not to burn it. Skim off carefully all scum or sediment that rises, so that the feed, when cool, will be perfectly clear and about the consistency of new honey.
The first warm days in early spring, as soon as the bees can fly a few hours in the middle of the day, mix corn meal with rye meal, equal parts, and set out in pans or other shoal dishes, near the hives. The bees will carry this to their hives in considerable quantities. It is used as a substitute for pollen or bee bread, and is very essential in forwarding the increase of bees in early spring. The meal should be fed very early in spring, for as soon as the bees can collect pollen from the natural sources—trees, shrubs, flowers, etc., they will not take this meal. If rye meal cannot be obtained, use unbolted wheat flour.