possible, or untimely broodrearing may be started. As much as two 
gallons of heavy syrup has been taken down by a strong colony 
in less than 24 hours. For late feeding the feed may be given as 
warm as the finger can be borne in it. 
ROBBING 
Honey bees have no pity for a weak neighbor but will, when 
given the opportunity, rob such a weak colony of all its stores. Pre- 
vention of robbing is much better than any cure, and when a beekeeper 
has had a robbing fracas on his hands he usually is careful that no 
fault of his causes a second such affair. When robbing is at its 
height the bees become furious and will sting almost anything in the 
neighborhood, animate or inanimate. 
When a colony is robbed no smoke should be used on it, but 
the entrance should be contracted to a size that will permit but one 
bee at a time to pass and grass or hay placed lightly over the entrance. 
It is better yet if the hay is liberally sprinkled with water. 
If a colony has been so badly robbed that saving it seems im- 
practicable, it may be best to let the robbers complete their work 
and become satisfied that nothing more can be had from that source. 
Sometimes the robbed colony will desert its home and go with the 
robbers. 
It should be borne in mind that robbing always is extremely un- 
desirable, and especially so when disease is in the apiary or neighbor- 
hood. 
SMOKER FUEL 
Perhaps every inflammable material has at one time or another 
been used as fuel for the bee smoker. Nevertheless some materials 
are decidedly better for this purpose than are others. Tobacco is 
sometimes recommended for vicious colonies, but it is much better 
to discard the vicious stock, and evidence is lacking to show that to- 
bacco smoke gives better control than smoke of burning wood. 
Because it fires easily and burns freely, rotten wood of any vari- 
ety gives excellent results. Crushed corn-cobs make a good smoke 
when once well fired but cause the smoker to become clogged with 
creosote. Burlap which is rotten enough to be easily torn gives 
a good smoke. New burlap is not easily fired. Wood chips are 
also excellent. Greasy waste has been suggested for use in the 
smoker. When oily enough to light readily it often refuses to 
continue burning freely; when less greasy it does not fire easily. 
There is some evidence to show that the fumes from greasy waste 
have an effect upon the bees opposite the desired one and they 
become infuriated. 
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