EOBBINO. 215 



mark the bees, sprinkling some flour on them as they 

 come out, and let some one watch at the other hives to 

 see if any of those with flour on them enter. The 

 following. is less trouble, but it will be longer before 

 they are checked, if robbing. Visit them again in the 

 course of half an hour or more, after the young bees hare 

 returned, and if the bustle continues or increases, it is 

 time to interfere. When the entrance has been con- 

 tracted, as' directed, close it entirely until near sunset. If 

 it has been left open, it should now be closed, giving 

 room for only one bee at a time. This will allow all that 

 belong to the hive to get in, and others to get out, and 

 will materially retard the progress of the robbers. Un- 

 less it should be cool, they will continue their operations 

 until evening. This late working, by the way, is a good 

 test of robbing. Visit the hives each warm evening, as 

 they commence depredations on the warmest days, and 

 seldom at any other time. If any are at work when 

 honest laborers should be at home, they must be re- 

 garded with suspicion. 



EEMEDIES. 



The old saying, " An ounce of prevention is worth a 

 pound of cure," is most applicable here. To keep stocks 

 strong and capable of self defence, is the golden rule that 

 would carry the beginner over these critical periods, when 

 scarcity of honey and a little undue carelessness on his 

 own part tempts the "busy bee" to take what he wants 

 wherever he can find it. But in the best regulated api- 

 aries we shall find colonies that need special care. When 

 the mischief is begun, prompt measures must be insti- 

 tuted. Mr. Quinby says : " I would recommend remov- 

 ing the weak hive on the morning after the attack to the 

 cellar, or some dark, cool place, until two or three days 

 have passed, and the search has been abandoned. The 

 vobbers will probably attack the stock on the next stand. 



