PREVENTION OF PILLAGE. 3] 7 



weakness of the hive has been discovered, and that it is on 

 the eve of being regularly and formally attacked. It be- 

 comes therefore a particular part of the duty of the apiarian 

 to pay frequent visits to his hives during the seasons when 

 robberies are the most prevalent. Particular care, how- 

 ever, should be taken not to confound the robbing bees with 

 the young ones, who from the hours of twelve to three 

 amuse themselves by flying about the hive in great num- 

 bers, and whose motions very much resemble those of the 

 pillaging bees. There are, however, particular signs by 

 which the attentive observer may distinguish the young bees 

 from the strangers, who are meditating an attack. The 

 young bees keep constantly before the entrance of the hive, 

 and they have always their head turned towards its centre, 

 whereas the besieging bees dodge about the hive in every 

 quarter, without confining themselves to any particular 

 position. 



There exists a very simple method of ascertaining whether 

 the bees, which are hovering about in numbers before the 

 hive, belong to the apiary, or whether they be robbers. 

 Sprinkle some flour on the bees, and then watch if any of 

 them enter the hive without opposition, which immediately 

 determines if they be friends or foes. 



In regard to the prevention of pillage, if there be a weak 

 hive in the apiary of which any fear is entertained, let the 

 following plan be adopted. The hive must be instantly 

 removed from the apiary, and placed in a retired situation 

 in the garden, about five or six hundred paces, or a quarter 

 of a mile distant, and it should then be covered with branches 

 or fagots, to protect it from the view of the bees flying into 

 the fields in search of food. 



The entrance must be so contracted as to admit of only 

 one bee to come out at a time, which is very easily done 

 with putty or clay, or still better with one of our tin 

 entrances ; in which state the hive must be left until it be 



