230 THE APIARY. 



An unusual amount of robbing and fighting- occurred 

 in the autumn of 1865 ; the weather remaining fine and 

 warm, and the honey having all but ceased in the flowers, 

 the bees began to assail each other's hives, as usual, 

 the strong attacking the weak. In most years, this 

 spirit of depredation exists, and the bee-keeper should 

 be on his guard not to tempt the avarice of bees' by 

 exposing honey, either in the comb or liquid, and also to 

 be very tardy of opening bar and frame hives at this time 

 of year. If needful to do so (soon after sunrise is the 

 safest, because there will be few bees about), take 

 the hive to a quiet corner of the garden, many yards 

 away from the other hives, and do what is requisite 

 speedily, so as not to expose the honey to the scent of a 

 host of robbers, who will most unceremoniously pillage, 

 and cause a terrible commotion. This caution will also 

 be necessary to be kept in view when removing supers. 

 In fact, many liberties that may be taken with bees when 

 they are busy in the gathering season will most wofully 

 disturb an apiary in August or September; and this 

 plundering spirit may exist even in October.* 



DRAINING HONEY FROM THE COMBS. 



Those of our readers who prefer eating " run honey" 

 to honey in the comb may be glad of some instruction 



* In the spring of the year, great care is also needful as regards- 

 feeding and in opening hives. 



