ENEMIES OE BEES. 25T 



follows. The ignorant or careless bee-keeper is informed 

 of the ravages which are going on in such a hive, only when 

 its ruin is fully completed, and a cloud of winged pests issues 

 from it, to destroy if they can, the rest of his stocks. 



But how, it may be asked, can it be ascertained that a 

 hive is seriously infested with the all-devouring worms ? 

 The aspect of the bees, so discouraged and forlorn, pro- 

 claims at once that there is trouble of some kind within. If 

 the hive be slightly elevated, the bottom. board will be found 

 covered with pieces of bee-bread, &c., mixed with the excre- 

 ment of the worms, which looks almost exactly like fine grains 

 of powder. As the bees in Spring, clean out their combs, 

 and prepare the cells for the reception of brood, their bottom- 

 board will often be so covered with parings of comb, and 

 small pieces of bee-bread, that the colony may appear to be 

 in danger of being destroyed by the worms. If, however, 

 few or none of the black excrement is perceived, the refuse 

 on the botom-board, like the shavings in a carpenter's shop, 

 are proofs of industry, and not the signs of approaching ruin. 



In the early part of the season, before the hive is replen- 

 ished with bees, the Apiarian should assist them in keeping 

 their bottom-boards clean. In the common hive this may 

 easily be effected, by blowing a little smoke into the entrance, 

 to cause the bees to retreat to their combs ; the bottom-board 

 may then be removed, and effectually cleansed. The man- 

 ner in which this is done, in the movable-comb hive will be 

 subsequently explained. 



The most careful and experienced Apiarian will find, too 

 often, that although he is well aware of the plague that is 

 reigning within, his knowledge can be turned to no good ac- 

 count, the interior of his hive being almost as inaccessible as 

 the interior of the human body ; whereas, in my hives, it can 

 always be ascertained, as soon as the weather is warm 

 22* 



