318 FEEDING OF WEAK HIVES. 



perceived that it is wholly tranquil, and that it is no further 

 molested by stranger bees. 



The removal of the hive, however, must in some measure 

 depend on the discretion and judgment of the proprietor, 

 especially when the pillage is supposed to proceed on 

 account of two or three days being adverse to the collection 

 of honey ; because, under such circumstances, it would be 

 sufficient to close the entrance of the menaced hive, leaving 

 open merely a small aperture for the bees to inhale the air. 

 It is a plan, however, which we generally follow when we 

 see a hive threatened by robbers ; but if, on opening it, two 

 or three days afterwards, it is still perceived to be in danger, 

 we then lose not a moment in removing it. 



As the greater number of the hives which are tormented 

 by robbers are weak and in want of provisions, it would be 

 advisable to give them a little food in the evening after sun- 

 set, taking care at the same time so to close the entrance, 

 that no stranger bee can gain admittance ; for were this pre- 

 caution neglected, the danger of the hive is increased, not 

 removed. Considerable judgment is required in the feeding 

 of weak hives, for from a want of the necessary precautions, 

 we have often seen a whole apiary put into commotion, and 

 especially if the food has been administered exteriorly. 



It has frequently fallen under our experience that the re- 

 moval of a hive to a distant place is not always a cure for 

 the evil that prevails, for such are the activity and vigilance 

 of the bees, that they will discover a weak hive at any dis- 

 tance from the apiary. Under thes*e circumstances, we 

 advise the proprietor to take the hive into a granary or other 

 outhouse, in which there is a window fronting the south, at 

 which the hive must be placed, but the entrance so closed 

 that no bees can come out. A little food should be given 

 to them ; and in about three or four days, the window may 

 be opened, and the bees set at liberty. This, however, must 

 only be done in very fine weather. Should the hive be 



