BEE-spoke-data/bees-v0 huggingface dataset:
"In some of prevention is worth a ton of cure."
**661**. Bees are so prone to rob each other, in time of scarcity, that, unless great precautions are used, the Apiarist will often lose some of his most promising colonies. Idleness is, with then, as with men, a fruitful mother of mischief. They are, however, far more excusable than the lazy rogues of the human family; for they seldom attempt to live on stolen sweets, when they can procure a sufficiency by honest industry.
As soon as they can leave their lives in the Spring, they may begin to assail the weaker colonies. In this matter, the morals of our little friends seem to be sadly at fault; for, those colonies which have the largest surplus are\(-\)like some rich suppressors\(-\)the most anxious to prey upon the meagre possessions of others.
If the maranders, who are prowling about in search of plunder, attack a strong and healthy colony, they are usually glad to escape with their lives from its resolute defenders. The bee-keeper, therefore, who neglets to watch his needy colonies, and to assist such as are weak or queeness, must count upon suffering heavy losses from robber-bees.
**665**. It is sometimes difficult, for the novice, to discriminate between the honest inhabitants of a live, and the robbers which often mingle with then. There is, however, an air of roguery about a thieving bee which, to the expert, is as characteristic as are the motions of a pickbucket to a skillful policeman. Its sneaking look, and nervous, guilty agitation, once seen, can never be mistaken. It does not, like thelaborer carrying home the fruits of honest toil, alight boldly upon the entrance-board, or face the guards, knowing well that, if caught by these trusty guardians, its life would hardly be worth insuring. If it can glide by without touehing any of the sentinels, those within\(-\)taking it for granted that all is right\(-\)may permit it to help itself.
Bees which lose their way, and alight upon a strange hive, can readily be distinguished from these thieving seamps. The rogue, when caught, strives to pull away from his executioners, while the bewildered unfortunate shrinks into the smallest compass, submitting to any fate his captors may award.
These dishonest bees are the "_Jerry Sneaks"_ of their profession. Constantly eereping through small holes, and daubing themselves with honey, their plumes assume a smooth and almost black appearance, just as the hat and garments of a thievish loafer, acquire a "seedy" aspect.
Dzierzon thinks that these black bees, which Huber has described as so bitterly persecuted by the rest, are nothing more than thieves. Aristotle speaks of "a _black_ bee which is called a _thief."_
**666.** The writer has known the value of an apiary to be so seriously impaired by the bees beginning early in the season to rob each other, -that the owner was often tempted to wish that he' had never seen a bee. Yet, we should hardly blame them for their robbing propensities. With them, as with men, much depends on the education which they are allowed to receive. Their nature teaches them to hunt for sweets industriously, wherever they can find them, and any sweet, which they can reach, by the most strenuous efforts, is considered by them, at once, as their private property. Were it not for this disposition of the bee, to hunt for sweets everywhere, and take them home, the honey of those colonies that dwell in the woods, and frequently perish during the Winter, would be wasted. The propensity to rob is acquired only during a dearth of honey in the flowers; for bees have a much greater relish for fresh honey, as produced in the blossonas, than for any other sweet on earth. In a day of abundant harvest, honey may be left exposed where bees can reach it, without being touched, or even approached, by a single bee, for hours; while, if placed in the very same spot during a dearth of honey, it will be covered with bees in very few minutes.
If the bee-keeper would not have his bees so demoralized that their value will be seriously diminished, he will be _exceedingly careful_ in time of scarcity to prevent them from robbing each other..If the bees of a strong colony once get a taste of forbidden sweets, they will seldom stop until they have tested the strength of every hive. Even if all the colonies are able to defend themselves, many bees will be lost in these encounters, and much time wasted.
**667**. An experienced bee-keeper readily perceives when any robbing is going on in his apiary. Bees are flying vagrantly about, hunting in nooks and corners, and at all the hive-erevices. Extensive robbing causes a general uproar, and the bees of all the hives are much more disposed to sting. The robbers sally out with the first peep of light, and often continue there depredations until it is so late that they cannot find the entrance to their hive. Some even pass the night in the plundered colony.
The cloud of robbers arriving and departing need never be mistaken for honest laborers (**173-174**) carrying, with unwieldy flight, their heavy burdens to the hive. These bold plunderers, as they _cutcr_ a hive, are almost as hungry-looking as Pharaoh's lean kine, while, on _coming out,_ they show by their hurly looks that, like aldernen who have dined at the expense of the city, they are stuffed to their utmost capacity.
**66S**. When robbing-bees have fairly overcome a colony, the attempt to stop them--by shutting up the hive, or by moving it to a new stand--if improperly conducted, is often far more disastrous than allowing them to finish their work. The air will be quickly filled with greedy bees, who, unable to bear their disappointment, will assail, with almost frantiedescription, some of the adjoining hives. In this way, the strongest colonies are sometimes overpowered, or thousands of bees slain in the desperate contest.
How to Srop Robbing.
When an Apiarist perceives that a colony is being robbed, he should contraet the entrance, and, if the assailants persist in forcing their way in, he must close it entirely. In a few minutes the hive will be black with the greedy cormorants, who will not abandon it till they have attempted to squeeze themselves through the smallest openings. Before they assail a neighboring colony, they should be thoroughly spriukled with cold water, which will somewhat cool their ardor.
Unless the bees, that were shut up, can have an abundance of air, they should be carried to a cool, dark place, after the Apiarist has allowed the robbers to escape out of it. Early the next morning they must be examined, and, if neecessary, united to another hive.
'In Gvrmany, when colonies in common hives are being robbed, they are often removed to a distant location, or put in a dark cellar. A hive, similar in appearance, is placed on their stand, and leaves of wormwood and the expressed juice of the plant are put on the bottom-board. Bces have such an antipathy to the odor of this plant, that the robbers speedily forsake the place, and the assailed colony may then be brought back.
'The Rev. Mr. Kleine says, that robbers may be repelled by imparting to the hive some intensely powerful and unacestomed odor.' He effects this the most readily by placing in it, in the evening, a small portion of musk, and on the following morning the bees, if they have a healthy queen, will boldly meet their assailants. These are nonplussed by the unwonted odor, and, if any of them enter the hive and carry off some of the coveted booty, on their return home, having a strange smell, they will be killed by their own household. The robbing is thus soon brought to a close.'--S. Wagner.
It will often be found that a hive which is overpowered by robbers has no queen, or one that is diseased.
**669.** One of the best methods which we have found to stop the robbing of one hive by another, when the robbed colony is worth saving, is to exchange them; _i. e.,_ to place the robbed colony on the stand of the robbing colony, and _vice versa_. The robbing colony can usually be found by sprinkling the returning bees with flour, as they come out of the robbed hive, and watching the direction which they take. It can also often be detected by the activity of its bees, if the neighboring hives are idle\({}_{t}\) especially after sunset.
This method, however, cannot be practiced when the robbing and the robbed colonies do not belong to the same person; or when the robbing is carried on by many hives at one time, although, in the latter case, the exchange of stands between the strongest of the robbing hives and the weak robbed colony, in the evening, and the reducing of the entrances of both, usually has a good result. The old robber bees, be-widered by this exchange, make their home in the robbed colony, since they find it on the stand where they are accustomed to bring their honey; and they defend it with as much energy as they used in attacking it before. See Quinby's "Mysteries of Bee-Keeping," N. Y., 1866.
**670.** We read in the _British Bee-Journal_ that a expholized sheet (**3S1**) can be used to stop robbing, if spread in front of the robbed hive. This same sheet, spread on the hive while extracting (**719**), and on the surplus box where the combs are placed (**76S**), displeases the robbers and protects the coub, but strong smelling drugs must be used sparingly over a super full of honey, for fear of damaging the flavor of the honey.
**671.** There is a kind of pillage which is carried on so secretly as often to escape all notice. The bees engaged in it do not enter in large numbers, no fighting is visible, and the labors of the hive appear to be progressing with their usual quietness. All the while, however, strange bees are earryingoff the honey as fast as it is gathered. After watching such a colony for some days, it occurred to us one evening, as it had an unhatehed queen, to give it a fertile one. On the next morning, rising before the rogues were up, we had the pleasure of seeing then meet with such a warm reception, that they were glad to make a speedy retreat.
This is another proof that discouragement caused by queenlessness often leads to the loss of a colony.
## Prevention.
**672**. _If the Apiarist would guard his bees against dishonest courses, he must be exceedingly careful, in his various operations, not to leave any combs or any honey where bees can find them, for, after once getting a taste of stolen honey, they will hover around him as soon as the!! see him operating on a hive, all ready to pounce upon it and snatch what they can of its exposed treasures._
In times of seareity, food should never be given to the bees in the day time, but only in the evening, always inside of the hive and above the combs. The feeding of bees (**605**) in the day time causes robbing in two ways. It exeites the bees which are fed, and induces them to go out to hunt for more, and the smell of the food given attracts the bees of the other hives. Hence follows fighting and trouble. But, above all things, the Apiarist must try to keep his colonies strong. When there is a scarcity of blossoms, or of nectar in the flowers, the entrance of the hive should be lessened, to suit the needs of the colony, by moving the entrance bloeks (**339**). If the hive contains more combs than the bees can well defend, the number of the combs should be reduced by the use of the division board (**349**).
**673**. It is especially with weak colonies that eare should be taken, in Spring or Fall. The strong hives being better able to keep warm, their bees fly out earlier in the day and will readily discover the weaker ones, which, unless their honey is protected, they will soon overpower.
When the above instructions are carried out, if thieves try to slip into a feeble colony they are almost sure to be overhauled and put to death; and if robbers are bold enough to attempt to force an entrance, as the bottom-board slants forward (**326**) it gives the occupants of the hive a decided advantage. Should any succeed in entering, they will find hundreds standing in battle-array, and fare as badly as a forlorn hope that has stormed the walls of a beleaguered fortress, only to perish among thousands of enraged enemies.
Cracks and openings in disjointed hives, should be securely closed with wet clay, until the bees can be transferred into better abodes.
When the hives are opened, the work must be performed specially and carefully; and, if any great number of robbers show themselves during the operation, it is well, after closing the hive, and reducing the entrance, to place a bunch of grass (fine grass or fine weeds preferred) over it, for an hour, or till the temporary excitenent has subsided. The guardian bees station themselves in this grass and clase out robbers much more easily than they could otherwise. The robbers themselves recognize that their chances of "dodging in" are slim, and give up the undertaking. We have never had any trouble with robbers after closing a hive in this way.
When the robbed colony is weak, the robbing may be abated by preventing any bees from entering it till evening, when other colonies have stopped flying; allowing, at the same time, any bee that wishes to depart from it, and closing the entrance till late in the morning. By this course most of the robbers will be tired of their useless attempts, while the remaining workers of the robbed hive will be ready to repel the attacks.
When none of these methods succeed, a small comb of hatching Italian bees (**331**) may be given, with the necessary precautions (**180**), to the weak colony, and the hive placed in the cellar for a few days. The hatched Italians will receive the intruders warmly when the hive is brought back.
The Italian bees defend their hives much better than the black (**549**) against the intrusion of robbers, and the Cypians and Syrians (**559**) surpass even the Italians.
When a comb of honey breaks down in a hive from any cause, it should be removed promptly, and the bottom-board should be exchanged for a clean one at once. If any drops of honey fall about the apiary, it is best to cover them up with earth promptly. In short, no honey should be left exposed, where bees can plunder it.
Of late years some Apiarists have practieed outdoor feeding of thin watery honey on a large scale, to prevent robbing. Their aim is to produce the same conditions as are made by a erop of honey, supply all the bees with all they want, for the time. The robbers are thus kept busy and do not think about bothering the weak hives. We can see nothing acceptable in this method and we find that advanced Apiarists agree with us. Doctor C. C. Miller, on this subject, says:
'I have fed barrels of sugar syrup in the open air, and it is possible that circumstances may arise to induce me to do it again, but I doubt it. There are serious objections to this outdoor feeding. You are not sure what portion of it your own bees will get, if other bees are in flying distance. Considerable experience has proved to me that by this method, the strong colonies get the lion's share, and the weak colonies very little.'--(Forty Years Among the Bees.)
We are glad to see that so high an authority agrees with us on this matter, for we have been considered as little short of old-fogy, because we did not countenance outdoor feeding.
Coaib Foundation.
**674.** The invention and introduction of comb foundation, with the use of movable frames, marked an important step in the progress of praetieal bee-culture. The main drawback to the perfect success of movable-frame hives was the difficulty of always obtaining straight combs in the frames (**31S**). Although the bevelled top bar (**319**) often secured this object, yet, in many instances, the bees deviated from this guide and fastened their combs from one frame to another; and if the matter was not pronntily attended to, the combs of the hive became as immovable as those of box lives. One frame slightly out of place was a sufficient incentive for the bees to fasten two frames together. In the management of four large apiaries, previous to the introduction of comb foundation, we found that, in spite of our efforts, a certain number of colonies would so build their combs, that only a part of the frames were movable without the use of a knife. Even the combs that were built in the right place were made somewhat waving, or bulged in spots, and were thus rendered unfit for such interchanges as are daily required in ordinary manipulations.
**675.** Another drawback to success was the building of drone-comb (**225**). We have had colonies in which nearly one-fourth of the combs were drone-comb. In such hives the number of drones that _might_ be raised would be sufficient to consume the surplus honey. To be sure, with movable-frame hives, such combs can be removed, but the difficulty consists in procuring straight and neat worker-combs to replace them; for if we simply remove the drone-combs, the bees often replace them with the same kind (**233**).
**676**. _Good straight worker-comb, not too old, is the most valuable capital of the Apiarist_ (**112**). For years, before the introduction of comb-foundation, we had been in the habit of buying all the worker-comb from dead colonies that we could find, but we never had enough.
The consideration of the above important points, a:d of the great cost of comb to the bees (**223**), had long ago drawn the attention of German Apiarists to the possibility of manufacturing the base, or _foundation,_ of the comb.
**677**. In 1857, Johannes Mehring invented a press to make wax _wafers_, on which the rudiments of the cells were printed. Those only, who experienced the obstacles which this industry presents, can form an idea of the energy and perseverance that were required to succeed as he did.
The foundation made by him then, was far from being equal to what is now made. The projections of the cell-walls were too rudimentary, sometimes not printed, and the bees often built drone-cells instead of worker-cells; but these imperfect efforts were the beginning of an industry which has proved of inunense advantage to bee-keepers, and has spread like wild-fire wherever bees are kept.
**678**. Another Apiarist, Peter Jaeob, of Switzerland, improved on the Mehring press, and in 1865, some of his foundation was imported to America, by Mr. H. Steele, of Jersey City (_.1m. Bee-Journal,_ Vol. 2, page 221), and tried by Mr. J. L. Hubbard, who reported favorably upon it. In 1861, Mr. Wagner had secured a patent in the United States, for the manufacture of _artificial honey conh-foundation by whatever process made_. His patent was never put to use, and rather retarded the progress of this industry in America.
**679**. The first comb-foundation made in America, was manufactured in 1865, by a German, Mr. F. Weiss, very
probably on an imported machine. Mr. A. I. Root, to whom the credit is due of popularizing the invention the world over. manufactured a large roller-mill, in February, 1876, with the help of a skilled mechanic, A. Washburne. He sold hundreds of these mills afterwards.
**680.** In the practical use of comb-foundation, the most sanguine expectations were realized:
_1._ Every comb that is built on foundation is as straight as a board, and can be moved from one place to another, in any hive, without trouble.
_2._ The combs built on worker-foundation are exclusively worker-combs, with the exception of occasional patches, when the foundation sags slightly, owing to being overloaded by the bees before the cells are fully built out.
_3._ All the wax produced by the bees, and gathered by the Apiarist from seraps, old combs, orappings, is returned to the bees in this shape, instead of being sold at the commercial value of bees wax, which is several times less than its actual cost (**223**). The cost of foundation for broods is not very great, especially if we consider that this capital is not consumed, but only employed; as the wax contained in the combs represents at least one-half of the primary value of the foundation, and can be rendered again, after years of use, none the worse for wear. It has been asserted that beeswax decays with time when exposed to dampness. We have never seen this and believe it to be an error.
**681.** Comb foundation has been made largely, especially in Europe, on plaster casts. There is also a press, the Rietsehe, which makes cast sheets of wax to which it gives the rudiments of cells. These sheets are made very much like waffles and for that reason the sheets of comb foundation are called in the Freneh language "gaufres de eire." They have the advantage of being easily made by almost any person, but are very rudimentary and very brittle. Similar sheets were made in this country formerly by the Given press but they have gone into disuse, as our bee-keepers are not satisfied with imperfect work. The only reason we can ascribe to the Rietsche press being popular in Europe is that the bee-keepers find it difficult to purchase foundation made of pure beeswax there. So they prefer to make an imperfect article out of their own product, rather than buy an imitation which breaks down in the hive and which the bees often reject (**6S6**).
**6S2**. Comb foundation is now made by several firms in endless sheets, which are cut to proper length as fast as they are printed. The Weed process produces sheets most clear and malleable and makes a superior article of foundation. But for the bee-keeper who wishes to make his own wax into sheets, the dipping process may still be used. We give a short description of it (**6S9**).
**6S3**. The wax used for thin surplus-foundation is a selected grade. Wax from eappings (**772**) and Southern wax are the best for this purpose, owing to their light color.
In every case, whether the foundation is to be used for surplus, or for brood-combs, the wax should be thoroughly cleaned by heating it to a high temperature and allowing it to cool slowly in flaring vessels, from which the cold wax can be easily removed. Wax, that is allowed to retain impurities, has less consistency, and will sag more readily. The method used by wax-bleachers of purifying with acids should not be resorted to, as the bees have a dislike for any disagreeable smell or taste.
**6S-I.**_Nothing but pure wax should be used in any grade of foundation._ Paradline, ceresine, etc., have been tried with disastrous results. Aside from the fact that these compounds melt at a lower degree than beeswax and _break donc_ in the hive, the bees readily discover the imposition and show a decided preference for pure foundation.
**6S5.** The most common adulteration of crude beesvax is made with tallow. Luckily, this is easily recognized by the soft, dull appearance of the cakes. The smell of tallow is also noticeable in freshly broken fragments.
**6S6.** Paraffine and other mineral waxes are detected in beeswax, by the following methods:
_Specific gravity._ Beeswax is a little heavier than some of the other waxes. By putting a piece of beeswax into water and pouring in alcohol until the wax goes to the bottom, one has a solution which will test lighter materials. As comb foundation has been laminated and is uneven in surface it is well to chew the wax and the foundation, before making comparative tests, so as to put b:th in the same condition. Paraffine will readily show considerably lighter specific weight, and will float.
_Melting points._ Tie a piece of the material you wish to test on the bulb of a round thermometer and hang this into a vial over a slow fire. Good beeswax melts between 144deg and 150deg, while the common grades of paraffine melt between 120deg and 140deg.
_Saponification Test._ Hot liquid lye will entirely change the nature of beeswax, making it into a soapy substance, while it will leave paraffine and other mineral wax unchanged.
**6S7.** The machines used for thin foundation are not the same as those used for brood foundation. The latter, made on a light wall machine, would be too weak to stand the weight of the bees, in a full-sized brood frame, and would not contain wax enough for the bees to build their comb; for it is a remarkable fact that the bees "_thin out"_ the foundation to a certain extent and make it considerably deeper out of the same material. When it has been made, _with a thin base will a heavy wall, the bees draw it up: more readily into comb._