148 
SPRING. 
your bees may be ruined. We will, therefore, give 
some other means of protection. 
Bees, when they have been stealing a sack of honey 
from a neighboring hive, will generally run several 
inches from the entrance before flying : kill some of 
these ; if filled with honey, they are robbers ; because 
it is very suspicious, to be filled with honey when 
leaving the hive ; or sprinkle some flour on them as 
they come out, and have some one watch by the others 
to see if they enter. Another way is less trouble, 
but will take longer, before they are checked, if rob- 
bing. Visit them again in the course of half an hour 
or more, after the young bees have had time to get 
back, (if it should happen to be them); but if the 
bustle continues or increases, it is time to interfere. 
When the entrance has been contracted as directed, 
close it entirely till near sunset. When it has been left 
without, it should now be done, (giving room for only 
one bee at a time). This will allow all that belong 
to the hive to get in, and others to get out, and mate- 
rially retard the progress of the robbers. 
ROBBING USUALLY COMMENCES ON A WARM DAY. 
Unless it should be cool, they will continue their 
operations till evening. Very often some are unable 
to get home in the dark, and are lost. This, by the 
way, is another good test of robbing. Visit the hives 
every warm evening. They commence depredations 
on the wannest days ; seldom otherwise. If any are 
at work when honest laborers should be at home, they 
need attention. 
