204 A MANUAL OF BEE-KEEPING. 



or twice until the wax is pure. The wax may be 

 bleached by running it into thin ribands and exposing 

 these to the bleaching action of a grass plat for several 

 days and nights, taking care the sun is not allowed to 

 melt them. 



ROBBING. 



" Honesty is the best, policy,'' but Bees seem to think 

 the contrary, and " might gives right " is a proverb more 

 often acted upon by them. Should a hive become weak, 

 and especially if Queenless, as soon as the state of affairs 

 be discovered by a neighbouring strong family, a raid is 

 organised. Poor Bees ! gallantly do they defend their 

 stores, and great the slaughter that ensues, but numerical 

 strength is sure to conquer ; when the assailed are fully 

 assured that resistance is in vain, they act very wisely, 

 and instead of fighting longer, turn to and help the 

 invaders to carry off the stores, and in reward are 

 received as new citizens in the free-booting hive. If a 

 hive which is known to be weak be discovered in a state 

 of unusual bustle and excitement, watch it narrowly ; 

 and if fighting be going on nearly close up the entrance 

 for a few days, leaving room only for one or two Bees to 

 pass at a time ; a narrow door is more easily defended 

 than a wide open gate. Should the assailants be very 

 pertinacious, wet a piece of tow or moss with carbolic 

 acid, and fasten it on the alighting board ; the robbers 

 will be too disgusted to pass, but the defenders will brave 

 it. Fighting may often be ascribed to the Bee-keeper's 

 carelessness in spilling honey or syrup round about a 



