ROBBERIES. 
149 
REMEDIES. 
As for remedies, I have tried several. The least 
trouble is to remove the weak hive in the morning to 
the cellar, or some dark, cool place, for a few days, 
until at least two or three warm days have passed, that 
they may abandon the search. The robbers will 
then probably attack the stock on the next stand. 
Contract the entrance of this in accordance with the 
number of bees that are to pass. If strong, no danger 
need be apprehended ; they may fight ,and even kill 
some; perhaps a little chastisement is necessary, to 
a sense of their duty. 
COMMON OPINION. 
There is an opinion prevalent that robbers often go 
to a neighboring stock, kill off the bees first, and then 
take possession of the treasures. To corroborate this 
matter, I have never yet discovered one fact, although 
I have watched very closely. Whenever bees have 
had all. their stores taken, at a period when nothing 
was to be had in the flowers, it is evident they must 
starve, and last but a day or two before they are gone. 
This would naturally give rise to the supposition that 
they were either killed, or gone with the robbers. 
A CASE IN POINT. 
I have a case in point. Having been from home a 
couple of days, I found, on iny return, a swarm of me 
dium strength, that had been carelessly exposed, had 
been plundered of about fifteen pounds of honey, 
