OF MANAGING BEES. 85 



stocked with bees, unless it is in such as have had their comb 

 broken by frost or otherwise, so as to cause the honey to 

 drip down upon the bottom board. Much care should be 

 exercised by the apiarian to see that all such hives are pro- 

 perly ventilated, and at the same time closed in such a man- 

 ner as to prevent the entrance of robbers in the daytime, 

 until they have mended the breach, so as to stop the honey 

 from running. 



_^Clear water should be given them every day, so long as 

 they are kept in confinement. 



We have known many good stocks to be lost by being 

 robbed, and all for want of care. Bees rob each other when 

 they can find but little else to do ; they will rob at any time 

 when frost has destroyed the flowers, or the weather is so 

 cold as to prevent their collecting honey from them. Cold, 

 chilly weather, without frost, prevents flowers from yielding 

 honey, and extreme dry weather dries up the blossoms. 



Bees need but little air at any time when they rob ; and 

 yet more is necessary for them when confined by compul- 

 sory means than otherwise. When deprived of their liberty, 

 they soon become restless, and use their best effbrts to make 

 their way out of the hive. 



The apiarian will find it for his interest to make the en- 

 trance to all his hives ]ff boring holes ys of ^^ iich in diame- 

 ter, and not larger, which will enable the bees to guard 

 themselves from robbers when the bottom board closes up 

 the hive. This should be done in all eases where the number 

 of their companions is reduced by swarming, or otherwise, 

 during tjie robbing season. In this way the bee-manager 

 will be able to enlarge or contract the entrance at pleasure, 

 corresponding with the number of bees going out and coming 

 in from work ; giving them all the air they require at this 

 timej and affording them the facilities of statipning but a 



