306 
SOMMER. 
The best protection I found, was to put around the 
bottom of the hive a few stems of asparagus ; this gave 
a free circulation of air, and at the same time, made it 
very difficult for the robbers to approach the entrance, 
without first creeping through this hedge and encoun- 
tering some bees that belonged to the hive ; which, 
with this assistance, were enabled to defend themselves 
till all wasting honey was taken up. 
When the hive is nearly full, and but one or two 
sheets come down, the lower edge will rest on the floor, 
and the other combs will keep it in an upright posi- 
tion, until the bees fasten it again. It is generally as 
well to leave such pieces as they are. If the hive is 
but half full or little more, and such pieces are not 
kept perpendicular by the remaining combs, they are * 
apt to be broken and crushed badly, by falling so far ; 
and most of the honey will be wasted. To save this, it 
will be necessary to remove it, (unless a dish can be 
made to catch it). Be careful not to turn the hive on 
its side, and break the remaining combs, if any are left. 
Such combs as contain brood and but little honey, 
might be left for the brood to mature. Should the 
bees be able to take the honey or not waste much, it 
might be advisable to leave it, till the contents were 
taken up ; it would greatly assist in filling up. But 
these broken pieces should be removed before they 
interfere with the combs extending to the bottom. A 
part of the bees are generally destroyed, but the ma- 
jority will escape ; even such as are covered with 
honey, (if they are not crushed) will clean it off and 
soon be in working order, when others do not inter- 
