I recently came across a short useful booklet — “Feeds and Feeding” by E.R. Root,1 published in 1923. At the time, I suspect the little book was informative and helpful — though there was obviously no mention of corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. I hope I don’t need to say that this information is 102 years old. It was a discussion of simple feeding recommendations and procedures. Though it is appropriate to have these concepts in the back of your mind, I would certainly recommend that you review more current management methods. My offering here is to compare the problems and solutions to some of our challenges today.
Mr. Root began the booklet by saying, “Whenever possible, feeding should be avoided; for at best, it is a messy job, expensive, and in the case of the beginner liable to cause robbing.” Not exactly a strong admonition to follow chapter and verse of his book. But it got my attention. He continued with instructions not to be greedy and take too much honey. Honey stores go further and seem to be more beneficial to the colony than supplemental feed. Taking too much honey was described by Root as being “a bad practice and decidedly poor economy.”
Making the syrup (in 1923)
For stimulating brood production in the spring, one part sugar to two of water — by bulk — is just about right. For winter feed, two parts sugar to one part water — by bulk — is just about right. Heating the mixture helps. If the mixture is not heated, Root recommended putting in a teaspoonful of tartaric acid to every 20 pounds of sugar. (I have no idea if this is helpful.) …
