152 SPRING. 



destruction I I have known a few instances where 

 good stocks by this means were reduced, uptil they in 

 turn fell a prey to others. I have for several years 

 kept about one hundred stocks away from home, 

 where I could not see them much, to prevent robbing. 

 Yet I never lost a stock by this cause. I simply 

 keep the entrance closed, except a passage for the bees 

 at work during spring. It is true I have lost a few 

 stocks, when the other bees took the honey, but they 

 .would have been lost any way. 



SPEINO THE WORST TIME. 



As I before remarked in the commencement of this 

 chapter, bees will plunder and fight at any time 

 through the summer, when honey cannot be collected ; 

 but spring is the only time that such desperate and 

 persevering efforts are made to obtain it. It is the 

 only time the apiarian can be excused for having his 

 hives plundered, or letting them stand in a situation 

 for it. We then often have families reduced in 

 winter and spring, from various causes, and when 

 protected through this season, generally make good 

 stocks. It is then we wish them to form steady, in- 

 dustrious habits, and not live by plunder. Prevention 

 is better than cure ; evil propensities should be 

 checked in the beginning. The bee, like man, when 

 this disposition has been indulged for a time, it is hard 

 breaking the habit ; a severe chastisement is the only 

 cure ; they too go on the principle of much wanting 

 more. 



