424 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
and should syrup be spilt, or honey dropped on the 
ground, a sprinkling of carbolic powder will prevent 
a bee touching it, and so save all excitement, with its 
consequent danger. 
In the fall of the year, it is often difficult to perform 
even necessary operations, because no sooner is a 
hive opened than robbers are on hand ; bees quickly 
learning to watch the apiarian about, knowing that 
where he is, there, probably, plunder is at command. 
He has been, perhaps, tormented, and hurriedly closes 
a stock, hoping, on the other side of the apiary, to 
be able to change a queen, it may be ; but the wily 
plagues follow him, and start in lively style the 
moment the frames are bared ; but a resource remains, 
which may often be of service. I have already hinted 
(pages 234, 347) that much may be done by lamplight, 
and that then bees do not fly. To those who have never 
tried, it would appear almost incredible that at night 
queens may be found and displaced, bees divided and 
united, and even honey extracted, with fewer stings 
than would be received in the daytime if robbers are 
harassing. For this work a hurricane lamp, which 
no wind troubles, or a bulhs-eye, which allows us to 
stand in the dark while the combs and the hive top 
are illuminated, are much to be preferred. The 
smoker would, of course, be used, as in ordinary 
manipulation. It may be mentioned here that in sharp 
weather, or, indeed, at any season (see pages 297 and 
342), almost any operation may be performed by 
removing the bees to a warm room, and allowing only 
so much artificial light as may be actually necessary. 
The ubiquitous robber can also be nonplussed in 
