118 Wars and Robberies of Bees. 
Various reafons have been affigned for this 
propenfity of the bees to rob one another. A 
majority of writers impute it to the following 
cautes : ol 
iff, The fearcity of provifions: The bees of | 
one hive, finding they have not fufficient pro- 
viiion for themfelves, and the feafon being 
backward, try to enrich themfelves at the ex- | 
pence of their neighbours. | ‘5 
2dly, The artificial feeding of hives: When 
s 
one hive is fed, their neighbours, fmelling the 
freth honey, with for a fhare of it, and will take 
uo denial, though it fhould coft them their 
lives: which it often does, the inhabitants of 
the fed hives ftanding up moft heroically in 
defence of their property.. This confideration 
will.lead the attentive Bee-mafter to ftudy the 
utmoft caution and prudence in feeding fuch 
hives as require extra fupplies ; elfe the remedy 
will prove worfe than the difeafe. 
3aly, But the chief reafon is, their infatiable 
avarice for honey.— In {pring and autumn, 
when the weather is good, but little or no ho- 
ney can be collected from plants, all bees what- 
foever are apt to go a marauding and plunder- 
yng their neighbour’s hives ; although, it muft 
be 
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