PREVENTION. 865 
robbers show themselves during the operation, it is well, 
after closing the hive, and reducing the entrance, to place a 
bunch of grass (fine grass or fine weeds preferred) over it, 
for an hour, or till the temporary excitement has subsided. 
The guardian bees station themselves in this grass and 
chase out robbers much more easily than they could other- 
wise. The robbers themselves recognize that their chances 
of ‘‘dodging in’”’ are slim, and give up the undertaking. 
We have never had any trouble with robbers after closing 
a hive in this way. 
When the robbed colony is weak, the robbing may be 
abated by preventing any bees from entering it till evening, 
when other colonies have stopped flying; allowing, at the 
same time, any bee that wishes to depart from it, and clos- 
ing the entrance till late in the morning. By this course 
most of the robbers will be tired of their useless attempts, 
while the remaining workers of the robbed hive will be 
ready to repel the attacks. 
When none of these methods succeed, a small comb of 
hatching Italian ees (551) may be given, with the nec- 
essary precautions (480), to the weak colony, and the 
hive placed in the cellar for a few days. The hatched Ita- 
lians will receive the intruders warmly when the hive is 
brought back. 
The Italian bees (551) defend their hives much better 
than the black (549) against the intrusion of robbers, and 
the Cyprians and Syrians (659) surpass even the Italians. 
When a comb of honey breaks down in a hive from any 
cause, it should be removed promptly, and the bottom- 
board should be exchanged for a clean one at once. If 
any drops of honey fall about the Apiary, it is best to 
cover them up with earth promptly. In short, no honey 
should be left exposed, where bees can plunder it. 
