HOW TO KEEP BEES FOR PROFIT 



snakes will often invade a hive, and if the 

 colony is weak will work havoc with the 

 combs, but, with the exception of mice, the 

 setting of the hive upon a stand a foot or so 

 above the ground will prevent their ravages. 



An apiary is very likely to be the lurking- 

 place of skunks, who seem to have a fondness 

 for bees, and the little rascals will, in the 

 shadow of night, scratch on the alighting- 

 board of a hive to lure the sentinels out for 

 investigation, only to be gobbled up by their 

 odoriferous enemies. A few traps baited with 

 the proper bait will soon rid the yard of these 

 pests; but care should be used in their han- 

 dling if they are still alive when trapped. 



In some sections of the country, the fond- 

 ness of bears for honey has led them to topple 

 over the hives and work much damage, but a 

 little watchfulness on the part of the beekeeper, 

 with the aid of a good rifle, will result in break- 

 ing it up. 



Sometimes a mouse or small snake will 

 invade a strong colony and be stung to death, 



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