ROBBING. 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 have 
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. 
REMEDIES. 
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 
robbers will probably attack the stock on the next stand. 
