416 ANGER OF BEES. 



only can two colonies be safely united by giving them the 

 same odor, but in the same way any number of colonies 

 may be made to live in perfect peace. If hundreds of hives 

 are all connected by wire gauze ventilators, so that the air 

 passes freely from one to another, the bees will all live in 

 absolute harmony, and if any bee attempts to enter the 

 wrong hive, it will not be molested. The same result can 

 often be attained by feeding colonies from a common vessel. 

 I have seen hundreds of thousands of bees which had ac- 

 quired the same odor, by being fed together, and which 

 were always gentle towards each other, while if a single 

 bee from a strange Apiary, lit upon the feeder, it was sure 

 to be killed. 



I have already described the use which I make of pepper- 

 mint, in order to prevent bees from quarreling when 

 they are united. The Rev. Mr. Kleine, in a recent number 

 of the Bienenzeitung, says that the most convenient and 

 effectual mode of arresting and repelling the attacks of rob- 

 bers, is, to impart to the attacked hive some intensely pow- 

 erful and unaccustomed odor. He effects this most readily, 

 by placing in it a small portion of musk, late in the evening, 

 when all the robbers have retreated. On the following 

 morning, the bees, (provided they have a healthy queen,) 

 will promptly and boldly meet their assailants, and these in 

 turn are non-plussed by the unwonted odor, and if any of 

 them enter the hive and carry off some of the coveted 

 booty, they will not be recognized nor received at home on 

 their return, on account of their strange smell, but will be at 

 once seized as strangers, and killed by their own household. 

 Thus the robbing is speedily brought to a close. 



In combination with my blocks, this device might be made 

 very effectual. When the Apiarian perceives that a hive is 

 being robbed, let him shut up the entrance : before dusk be 



