ROBBING. 
101 
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 
slock 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- 
rary 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 
