REMOVAL OF HIVES. 319 



discovered by the strangers, the window can be immediately 

 closed, and all further attack is then prevented. In this 

 case, however, a number of the native bees, who actually 

 belong to the hive, will be necessarily excluded, and which 

 perhaps cannot obtain admission without also admitting the 

 strangers. In the course of an hour, however, the strangers, 

 disappointed of their booty, will retire, and the lawful bees 

 may then be permitted to enter. 



When a hive is removed, a ruse de guerre should be 

 played off, and an empty hive put in its place. This will 

 amuse the robbers returning on the following day, and will 

 prevent them attacking any other hive, which might prove 

 too weak to oppose them ; for the same proverb holds good 

 with bees as with men, that stolen goods are sweet ; and 

 when the bees of a hive once take to robbing, they follow the 

 occupation with the greatest ardour, and the best apiary, 

 under such circumstances, will be soon depopulated. 



