140 ROBBING. 



remain until the combs are transferred into the new hive. Then 

 hive the bees as directed. In this way, there is little danger of 

 robbers, or losing the queen, and the brood is not liable to be 

 chilled in the warm room. Late in the season, when the bees 

 are rich in stores, and consequently harder to control, the begin- 

 ner may sprinkle a few grains of tobacco upon his rags for 

 smoke, being careful to subdue the bees at the start. If the 

 flowers are not yielding a supply, feed the scraps of honey to the 

 stock the next morning, placing them in the chamber of the 

 hive, as much honey is consumed in elaborating Wax to repair 

 the combs. In four or five days after the transfer, the tempo- 

 raiy slats are to be removed, and any crooked comb straightened. 

 For convenience, we fasten a permanent loop to one end of a 

 slat, and a piece of wire to the other end. The other slat is left 

 smooth, with one end slightly sharpened, to push under the 

 comb when the looped slat is laid on, and the loop slipped over 

 the sharpened end of the under one. Give a twist to the wire 

 at the other end, and the comb is secured. The slats are 

 removed by drawing the smooth one out of the loop, which 

 loosens the other, and both are drawn out. These slats may be 

 used many times over, and will last for years. 



ROBBING. 



Early in the spring when few flowers have appeared, and after 

 they fail in the fall, or indeed in any time of scarcity, weak and 

 queenless swarms are apt to be troubled by robbers. Yet the 

 prudent bee-keeper, by caring for such stocks in time, will avoid 

 the danger. When flowers are scarce, expose no sweets near 



