bee-keeper's manual. 97 



rally, and turns directly upward,, without touching the 

 bottom-board at all. When the worms are produced 

 from this winged moth, they creep down the side of 

 the hive, and search for a hole or crevice in which to 

 wind up in a cocoon, from which a winged moth is- 

 sues in a few days, to take its turn at entering the hive, 

 if it can. The salt placed under the corners, or edges 

 of hives, as tradition recommends, from time immemo- 

 rial, will keep the worms from winding up in a cocoon, 

 under the edges. -of the hive, where this salt is placed, 

 but the worms have only to crawl entirely out of the 

 hive, and in most cases, they will find a convenient crack 

 or nook to suit their purpose, close at hand. Hence, it 

 follows, that so long as these worms can fiftd any place 

 about the hive, to wind up in, the salt placed under the 

 hives is of little or no use, since a moth leaving its 

 cocoon a rod from the hive, is just as able to gain ad- 

 mission, as one emerging from a cocoon directly under 

 the hive ; for, if the bees are not strong enough in num- 

 bers, to protect themselves in the one, they ,are not 

 in the other case. Even if a place cannot be found to 

 wind up in above ground, these worms will go below the 

 surface of the earth for this purpose ; but it is a last resort, 

 or forlorn hope for them, in such cases, and few winged 

 insects are produced by them in such instances. The true 

 policy of bee-keepers is, to keep everything so snug and 

 close around their hives, as to preclude the possibility ol 

 the worms finding any winding-up place ; then place 

 salt under the hives, and a good result will follow. It 

 is a very difficult thing to place hives in such a position, 



