OP MANAGING BKES. 67 



ment ; and our previous opinions concerning large congrega- 

 tions of bees in one body are more and more confirmed, as 

 already expressed in previous remarks on Rule 10, pages 59 

 and 60. 



Moreover, since the bees appear to die off more rapidly 

 in proportion to their number, in these large bodies, and 

 rear their young more slowly than in swarraing-hives, it is 

 found necessary to purchase swarms from the bee-owners 

 in the surrounding country, in order to preserve the stock 

 sufficient to work to advantage. ' The effect of this is to 

 diminish the number of swarms in the country ; and at the 

 same time, if these mammoth establishments- are not abun- 

 dantly supplied with " feed" by their owners, and the blossoms 

 of plants fail to yield honey suificient, their predatory incur- 

 sions among the single hives in the vicinity will soon empty 

 them of their contents. We have known many hives en- 

 tirely ruined in ten or fifteen minutes, after an attack by rob- 

 bers in the vicinity of a large apiary. When a swarm of bees 

 is conquered by the enemy, it is not often that they can be 

 resuscitated and restored to their former activity and inde- 

 pendence — at least by any human skill. We have seen the 

 vanquished bees to unite, make treaties of peace with their' 

 enemies, and assist in removing the contents of their hive to 

 that of their conquerors ; after which they would all go in a 

 body, like a new swarm, take up their abode, and remain 

 peaceable and orderly subjects in the hive, with the honey 

 which had been seized by the robbers. Still, it is more usual 

 for the vanquished to yield up their property to the victors, 

 remain in their own domicile, and perish with hunger. 



As we have lived in close contiguity to the apiary, be- 

 stowed much time upon its improvement for more than sixty 

 years, and carefully studied the habits and instincts of the 

 bee for more than a quarter of a century, we believe the 



