420 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
When robbing has been once fairly started, it 
is exceedingly likely to spread, for with bees^ as with 
men, a lapse into dishonest courses is not often fol- 
lowed by a return to virtue ; while bad example in 
the few tends to demoralise the many. The trouble 
must be dealt with, for, if the robbing propensity be 
thoroughly aroused, the peaceful hum of the apiary 
may soon be exchanged for a very pandemonium of 
strife and destruction ; and, should one colony only, 
suffer, the mauraders, emboldened by success, will be 
eagerly watching for another chance, putting every 
stock on the defensive, and begetting general ill-temper, 
which may make the bees a nuisance by the frequency 
with which the sting is brought into requisition. 
The upsetting of syrup, the accidental exposure of 
honey, keeping stocks long open in times of scarcity, 
queenless colonies, excessive use of smoke, careless 
harvesting at the close of a honey flow, and the 
nursing of weaklings, are the main provocatives of 
robbing. The causes may be avoided or reduced, but 
with every caution it will at times occur. If noticed 
early, while the attacked hive is still earnest in its 
defence, it is usually not difficult to repress it; reducing 
the entrance to iin., and repeatedly sponging the hive 
with common carbolic acid stirred in water, or dredg- 
ing carbolic acid powder over the combatants on the 
alighting-board, or, better, hanging over the front, or 
porch, a cloth sprinkled with carbolic acid or creasote, 
is often sufficient. The defenders, being able to keep 
back a host at the narrow pass, gain courage, while the 
invaders are repulsed by the nauseous carbolic like 
Tartars before a Chinese stink-pot. But it must not 
