2IO 



AGRICULTURE FOR BEGINNERS 



FIG. 192. GOOD FORM OF HIVE 



bee. The newly hatched bee commences life as a nurse. 

 When ten days old, it begins to try its wings in short 

 flights, and in two weeks it begins active work. You may 



distinguish young exercising 

 bees from real workers by 

 the fact that they do not fly 

 directly away upon emerging 

 from the hive, but circle 

 around a bit in order to make 

 sure that they can recognize 

 home again, since they would 

 receive no cordial welcome if 

 they should attempt to enter 

 another hive. They hesitate upon returning from even 

 these short flights, to make sure that they are in front of 

 their own door. 



There are several kinds of enemies of the bee which all 

 bee keepers should know. One of these is the robber 

 bee, that is, a bee from another colony attempting to steal 

 honey from the rightful owners, an attempt often result- 

 ing in frightful slaughter. Much robbery can be avoided 

 by clean handling, that is, by leaving no honey about to 

 cultivate a taste for stolen 

 sweets. 



Queenless or otherwise 

 weak colonies should be 

 protected by a narrow 

 entrance that admits only 

 one bee at a time. Such a pass may be easily guarded. 

 Fig. 193 shows a good anti-robbery entrance which may 

 be readily provided for every weak colony. Mice may be 



FIG. 193. ANTI-ROBBING ENTRANCE 

 st, stationary piece ; s, slide ; /, pin, or stop 



