PREVENTION. 379 



off the honey as fast as it is gathered. After watching such 

 a colony for some days, it occurred to us one evening, as it 

 had an unhatched queen, to give it a fertile one. On the next 

 morning, rising before the rogues were up, we had the pleas- 

 ure of seeing them meet with such a warm reception, that 

 they were glad to make a speedy retreat. 



This is another proof that discouragement caused by queen- 

 lessness often leads to the loss of a colony. 



Prevention. 



673. If the Apiarist would guard Ms bees against dis- 

 honest courses, he must be exceedingly careful, in his various 

 operations, not to leave any combs or any honey where bees 

 can find them, for, after once getting a taste of stolen honey, 

 they will hover around him as soon as they see him operating 

 on a hive, all ready to pounce upon it and snatch what they 

 can of its exposed treasures. 



In times of scarcity, food should never be given to the bees 

 in the day time, but only in the evening, always inside of the 

 hive and above the combs. The feeding of bees (605) in the 

 day time causes robbing in two ways. It excites the bees 

 which are fed, and induces them to go out to hunt for more, 

 and the smell of the food given attracts the bees of the other 

 hives. Hence follows fighting and trouble. But, above all 

 things, the Apiarist must try to keep his colonies strong. 

 When there is a scarcity of blossoms, or of nectar in the 

 flowers, the entrance of the hive should be lessened, to 

 suit the needs of the colony, by moving the entrance blocks 

 (339). If the hive contains more combs than the bees can 

 well defend, the number of the combs should be reduced by 

 the use of the division board (349). 



673. It is especially with weak colonies that care should 

 be taken, in Spring or Fall. The strong hives being better 

 able to keep warm, their bees fly out earlier in the day and 

 will readily discover the weaker ones, which, unless their honey 

 is protected, they will soon overpower. 



