ROBBERY. 
37 
then to another to evade the robbery, but still they took it ! 
Of course they took it — that was made doubly certain by the 
moving. Every time the hive was moved a great many bees 
would leave and return to the old stand and bo lost, thus 
weakening it until ruin was certain ; because the robbers 
would be sure to find them in a very few minutes if left any- 
where in the vicinity. 
Persons frequently lament to me, that their neighbors’ bees 
attacked and destroyed one, two or three of their best col- 
onies. It is not agreeable to have to dispute honest people’s 
words, yet I always doubt such reports. There is no doubt 
that they were robbed, but that they were their best. It is 
probable that at some previous time they had been their 
best, but they had either swarmed almost all their bees away, 
or were queenless, or by some other means were reudered 
unthrifty, and became an easy prey to robbers, which only 
anticipated their destruction by moth, for such families will 
generally perish by some means if not helped. The bee- 
keeper in such cases generally sees a good many bees about 
the entrance, and is thereby deceived, supposing there are 
also a proportionate number inside. 
HOW TO DETECT ROBBERS. 
When a colony is seen going out and in late in the even- 
ing, after others have ceased to labor, I suspect either that it 
is robbing or being robbed. If on examination those coming 
out appear to be full and rather clumsy in taking flight, my 
doubts of their honesty become strong and I feel myself 
justified in arresting a few of them on suspicion. And if on 
tearing them open their honey-sack proves to be gorged with 
honey, I consider tljjs circumstantial evidence sufficient, and 
condemn them accordingly. 
Then, to detect the headquarters of the clan, sprinkle the 
bees as they come out with flour, and notice if any of the 
other hives have white bees entering them. If not, you 
may conclude they belong elsewhere. 
When bees arc robbing they are out in the morning before 
others are, and fly in the evening after others have become 
quiet. 
W hen robbery commences it should be stopped imme- 
diately, as the robbers come stronger and stronger, until they 
