MELTING DOWN OF COMBS. 805 



I once had some new stocks ruined, and several 

 others injured by hot weather, in this way, about the 

 first of September, immediately after the flowers of 

 buckwheat. The bees, or most of them, being covered 

 with honey, together with what ran out of the hive, at 

 once attracted bees from the others to the spot, which 

 carried off the entire, contents in a few hours. This 

 was an uncommon occurrence ; I have known but one 

 season in twenty -five years when it occurred, after the 

 failure of honey in the flowers. It usually happens 

 during a plenteous yield, and then other stocks are 

 not apt to be troublesome. 



FIRST INDICATIONS. 



The first indications of such an accident will be, 

 the bees outside in clusters, when the hive is perhaps 

 only half or two-thirds full, and the honey running out 

 from the bottom, (this is when part has fallen.) 



PREVENTION. 



To prevent such occurrences as far as possible, ven- 

 tilate by raising the hives on little blocks at the 

 corners, audi effectually protect them from the sun ; and 

 if necessary, wet the outside with cold water. At the 

 time of losing those before mentioned, I kept all the 

 rest of the young swarms wet through the middle of 

 the day, and I have no doubt but I saved several by 

 this means. I had some trouble with such as had Only 

 a piece or two come down, and started just honey 

 enough to attract other bees. It was not safe to close 

 the hive to prevent the robbers, as this would have 

 made the heat still greater, and been certain destruc- 

 tion. 



