FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 205 



left in its place, they seem to think they have made a mistake 

 as to the place and hunt all around for the missing section, until 

 they force their way into the nearest conquerable colony. 



If a weak colony is attacked, I may sometimes take it away, 

 but if I do, I immediately put in its place an empty hive in 

 which I put some scraps of comb containing a little honey. 



Fig. 72— No. 12 Closed for Hauling. ■■ 



They will rob this out and that will be the end of it. It is 

 possible that dry comb without any honey might answer. 



ROBBING FAULT OF BEEKEEPER. 



Except in case of queenless colonies, I am somewhat of the 

 opinion that most eases of robbing have been through my own 

 carelessness. When there is nothing to do in the fields, the bees 

 may be seen busily trying to enter cracks about hives so small 

 that there is no possibility of their entering, and they are sharp 

 to observe any change. If, at sur-h times, a fresh opening be 

 left anywhere about a hive, it is sure to be discovered. An 

 entrance at the top of brood-chamber, at the back end, may be 

 left open all the season without being disturbed by robbers. 



