806 SUMMER. 



The best protection I found,' was to put around the 

 bottom of the hive a few stems of asparagus ; this gave 

 a free circulation of air, and at the same time, made it 

 very difficult for the robbers to approach the entrance, " 

 without first creeping through this hedge and encoun- 

 tering some bees that belonged to the hive ; which, 

 with this assistance, were enabled to defend themselves 

 tUl aU wasting honey was taken up. 



When the hive is nearly full, and but one or two 

 sheets come down, the lower edge will rest on the floor, 

 and the other combs will keep it in an upright posi- 

 tion, until the bees fasten it again. It is generally as 

 well to leave such pieces as they are. If the hive is 

 but half full or little more, and such pieces are not 

 kept perpendicular by the remaining combs, they are 

 apt to be broken and crushed badly, by falling so far ; 

 and most of the honey will be wasted. To save this, it 

 will be necessary to remove it, (unless a dish can be 

 made to catch it). Be careful not to turn |he hive on 

 its side, and break the remaining combs, if any are left. 

 Such combs as contain brood and but little honey, 

 might be left for the brood to mature. Should the 

 bees be able to -take the honey or not waste much, it 

 might be advisable to leave it, till the contents were 

 taken up ; it would greatly assist in filling up. But 

 these broken pieces should be removed before they 

 interfere with the combs extending to the bottom. A 

 part of the bees are generally destroyed, but the ma- 

 jority will escape ; even such as are covered with 

 honey, (if they are not crushed) will clean it off and 

 soon be in working order, when others do not inter- 



