104 



DADANT SYSTEM OF BEEKEEPING 



Fig. 56. A three-colony winter-" - 



over the frames, so that the moisture from the bees ma}' escape 

 gradually through it into the leaves of the cap, without causing 

 a draft of ai r. 



The hive is then wrapped with forest leaves, held in place 

 with wire netting of the kind used for poultry yards. A piece 

 of netting of the proper size is laid behind the hive, leaves spread 

 upon it and both ends brought together in front, which is always 

 faced south, southeast or southwest. In this way the hive is 

 efficiently protected from fierce north winds, but the front is open 

 so as to permit the rays of the noon sun to strike it fully. YYhen- 

 ever a warm day comes, usually about once or twice a month, 

 the bees are able to fly, void their excrements and often rearrange 

 their cluster. 



Heavy snows are not objectionable, if they do not cut out 

 the ventilation by thawing and forming ice about the openings. 

 We usually see that the snow is piled freely behind the hives, 



