364 ROBBING AND HOW PREVENTED. 



In times of scarcity, food should never be given to the 

 bees in the day time, but only in the evening, always 

 inside of the hive and above the combs. The feeding of 

 bees (605) in the day time causes robbing in two ways. 

 It excites the bees which are fed, and induces them to go 

 out to hunt for more, and the smell. of the food given 

 attracts the bees of the other hives. Hence follows fight- 

 ing and trouble. But, above all things, the Apiarist must 

 trj' to keep his colonies strong. When there is a scarcity 

 of blossoms, or of nectar in the flowers, the entrance of 

 the hive should be lessened, to suit the needs of the colony, 

 by moving the entrance blocks (339). If the hive con- 

 tains more combs than the bees can well defend, the 

 number of the combs should be reduced by the use of the 

 division board (349). 



673. It is especially with weak colonies that care should 

 be taken, in Spring or Fall. The strong hives being better 

 able to keep warm, their bees fly out earlier in the day and 

 will readily discover the weaker ones, which, unless their 

 honey is protected, they will soon overpower. 



When the above instructions are carried out, if thieves 

 try to slip into a feeble colony they are almost sure to be 

 overhauled and put to death ; and if robbers are bold 

 enough to attempt to force an entrance, as the bottom- 

 board slants forward (327) it gives the occupants of the 

 hive a decided advantage. Should any succeed in entering, 

 they will find hundreds standing in battle-array, and fare 

 as badly as a forlorn hope that has stormed the walls of a 

 beleaguered fortress, only to perish among thousands of 

 enraged enemies. 



Cracks and openings in disjointed hives, should be se- 

 curely closed with yellow clay, until the bees can be trans- 

 ferred into better abodes. 



When the hives are opened, the work must be performed 

 speedily and carefully ; and, if any great number of 



