AUTUMN. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



ROBBING. 



At any time of year, from the first warm days in 

 spring until the close of warm weather in the autumn, 

 when little if any honey can be obtained abroad in 

 the fields, bees are apt to rob. The times when most 

 danger is to be apprehended, is early in the spring 

 and late in the autumn ; the most serious losses in 

 this region of country have been after the close of 

 the buckwheat season. The prime moving cause has 

 been, as far as my observation extends, the loss of 

 queens, in the manner described in the chapter on 

 loss of queens. Bees from other hives, when honey 

 becomes scarce abroad, and they are yet anxious to 

 add to their supplies, find out those disorganized and 

 feeble colonies, destitute of queens, well knowing 

 that they will make but little resistance, and com- 

 mence to carry off their honey. When they get 

 fairly started, all the bees in the apiary will take 

 part, and in a few hours become so much excited 

 (and this excitement often extends to neighboring 

 apiaries), as to attack even very strong hives, conquer 

 them and carry off their honey. In this case a furious 

 battle generally ensues, before a well organized col- 

 ony will submit to be thus plundered. 



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