ROBnKIUEP. 149 



REMEDIES. 



As for remedies, I have tried severaL The least 

 trouble is to remove the weak hive in the morning to 

 the cellar, or some dark, cool place, for a few days, 

 until at least two or three warm days have passed, that 

 they may abandon the search. The robbers will 

 then probably attack the stock on the next stand. 

 Contract the entrance of this in accordance with the 

 number of bees that are to pass. If strong, no danger 

 need be apprehended ; they may fight ,and even kill 

 some; perhaps a little chastisement i? necessary, to 

 a sense of their duty. 



COMMON OPINION. 



There is an opinion prevalent that robbers often go 

 to a neighboring stock, kill off the bees first, and then 

 take possession of the treasures. To corroborate this 

 matter, I have never yet discovered one fact, although 

 I have watched very closely. Whenever bees have 

 had all their stores taken, at a period when nothing 

 w^s to be had in the flowers, it is evident they must 

 starve, and last but a day or two before they are gone. 

 This would naturally give rise to the supposition that 

 they were either kUled, or gone with the robbers. 



A CASE IN POINT. 



I have a case in point. Having, been from home a 

 couple of days, I found, on my return, a swarm of me 

 dium strength, that had been carelessly exposed, had 

 been plundered of about fifteen pounds of honey, 



