CHAPTER IX, 



ROBBING. 



JOSS of stocks by robbing shows carelessness, 

 ^ or lack of knowledge as to the proper care of 

 bees. Not one strong, healthy stock of bees 

 in a thousand will be robbed, if proper precaution is 

 taken. During a copious yield of honey there is 

 very little danger of robbing. When there is a slack 

 in the yield, the bees will search about for plunder, 

 and if a weak stock is found, they will be very like- 

 ly to attack it. 



It is the duty of every intelligent bee keeper to 

 know the exact condition of his stocks at all times, 

 and if from any cause he has a weak stock, be sure 

 to ascertain the cause of their weakness, and if they 

 are healthy stocks, contract the entrances, in accord- 

 ance with the number of bees to pass. But if they 

 are found to be diseased, remove them. The bee, 

 like the human race, is much better able to defend 

 itself against the attacks of an enemy when there is 

 but one avenue of approach, than if there are sev- 

 eral. 



No refuse honey should be placed in the open air, 

 accessible to all the bees alike, as this would be very 

 likely to create a desire to plunder, and incite rob- 

 bing. 



