ANGER OF BEES. 375 



queen,) will promptly and boldly meet their assailants, and 

 these in turn are non-plussed by the unwonted odor, and if 

 any of them enter the hive and carry off some of the cov- 

 eted booty, they will not be recognized nor received at 

 home on their return, on account of their strange smell, but 

 will be at once seized as strangers, and killed by their own 

 household. Thus the robbing is speedily brought to a close. 



In combination with my blocks, this device might be made 

 very effectual. When the Apiarian perceives that a hive is 

 being robbed, let him shut up the entrance : before dusk he 

 can open it and allow the robbers to go home, and then 

 put in a small piece of musk : the entrance next day may 

 be kept so contracted that only a single bee can enter at 

 once. In the union of stocks the same substance might be 

 used advantageously. A short lime before the process is 

 attempted, each colony might have a small dose of musk 

 (a piece of musk tied up in a little bag,) and they would 

 then be sure to agree. I prefer, however, in most cases, 

 the use of scented sugar-water. 



By using my double hives, and putting a small piece 

 of gauze-wire on an opening made in the partition, the two 

 colonies having the same scent will always agree ; this will 

 be very convenient where they are compelled to live as such 

 near neighbors, and enables the Apiarian at any time to 

 unite them and appropriate their surplus stores. These 

 double hives are admirably adapted to the wants of those 

 who wish to make the smallest possible departure from the 

 old system, as they need make no change, except to unite 

 the stocks instead of killing the bees. 



I have already remarked that no operation should ever be 

 attempted up6n bees, by which a whole colony is liable to be 

 excited to an ungovernable pitch of fury. Such operations 

 are never necesary ; and a skillful Apiarian will, by availing 



