CHAPTER. UX. 
ROBBING. 
OSS 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 rob- 
bing. 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 likely to attack it. 
Tt is the duty of every intelligent bee keeper to know 
the 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 accordance 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 
several. 
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 robbing. 
