360 BOBBING AND HOW PREVENTED. 



wherever they can find them, and any sweet, which they 

 can reach, by the most strenuous efforts, is considered by 

 them, at once, as their private property. Were it not for 

 this disposition of the bee, to hunt for sweets everywhere, 

 and take them home, the honey of those colonies that dwell 

 in the woods, and frequently perish during the Winter, 

 would be wasted. The propensity to rob is acquired only 

 during a dearth of honey in the flowers ; for bees have a 

 much greater relish for fresh honey, as produced in the blos- 

 soms, than for any other sweet on earth. This is so true, 

 that in a day of abundant harvest, honey may be left ex- 

 posed where bees can reach it, without being touched, or 

 even approached, by a single bee, for hours ; while, if 

 placed in the verj^ same- spot during a dearth of honey, it 

 will be covered with bees in very few minutes. 



If the bee-keeper would not have his bees so demoralized 

 that their value will be seriously diminished, he will be 

 exceedingly careful in time of scarcity to prevent them from 

 robbing each other. If the bees of a strong colony once 

 get a taste of forbidden sweets, they will seldom stop until 

 they have tested the strength of every hive. Even if all the 

 colonies are able to defend themselves, many bees will be 

 lost in these encounters, and much time wasted ; for bees, 

 whether engaged in robbing, or battling against robbers, 

 lose both the disposition and the ability to engage in use- 

 ful labors. 



667. An experienced bee-keeper readily perceives when 

 any robbing is going on in his Apiary. Bees are flying 

 vagrantly about, hunting in nooks and corners, and at all 

 the hive-crevices. Extensive robbing causes a general up- 

 roar, and the bees of all the hives are much more disposed 

 to sting. The robbers sally out with the first peep of light, 

 and often continue their depredations until it is so late that 

 they cannot find the entrance to their hive. Some even 

 pass the night in the plundered colony. 



