FORTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES. 



215 



of the colony seemed to think forage was so plentiful 

 that it wasn't worth while to be mean about it, there was 



Pig. 73. — Miller Tmt-Escape. 



enough for all ; so the robbers were doing a land-office 

 business without let or hindrance. 



STOPPING ROBBING WITH WET HAY. 



I closed the entrances of the other hives in the im- 

 mediate neighborhood, so that only two or three bees 

 could pass at a time, and then threw a lot of loose, wet 

 hay at the entrance of the besieged hive. 



Not only did I put hay at the entrance, but piled it 

 up all around to the top of the hive. For some time I 

 kept every thing very wet all around the hive by pour- 

 ing on pails of water, and then left them till next day. 



No other hives were attacked. I somewhat ex- 

 pected to find the queen killed, but she was all right 

 next day, and no further trouble occurred, as the colony 



