114 



DADANT SYSTEM OP BEEKEEPING 



be taken not to bring a flame near, as this gas ignites and 

 explodes. 



Other enemies of bees are too insignificant to find a place 

 in this short treatise. 



We will here give a few rules that we consider important, 

 in our climate at least: 



We ne\'er face colonies northward, as the bees often get 

 chilled near the entrance to their home in unpleasant weather. 



We never move colonies of bees, even a few inches, with- 

 out placing a slanting board in front of the hive, to cause them 

 to notice the change of location. 



We never disturb colonies of bees in cold weather. 



Fig. 58. Low, moist, rich bottom land that is good for honey production 



We never try to winter a colony that has less than 6 combs. 

 Such a colony might be wintered in the cellar, if it has sufficient 

 stores. Smaller colonies are united. 



We never close colonies to keep them from flying because 

 of snow or rain or other reasons, except to transport them. We 

 consider that enough bees worry themselves to death to make 



