ANTS. 



APIARY. 



Al'IARY OF J. WEBSTER JOHNSON. TEMPE, ARIZONA. 



This method of shading an apiary in Arizona, where the temperature during- the hottest weather often 



goes above 100 degrees, is almost universal. The i-oof consists of dried grass or 



leaves laid on top, and secured by wires laid over the whole. 



say 8 feet high and 10 or 12 feet long, run- 

 ning from east to west, well covered with a 

 vine, can be made to protect anywhere from 

 live to ten hi\ es. On this trellis, grapevines 

 or any other quick-growing vine may be 

 reared to provide sliade during the heat of 

 the day. The fourth and last plan is to use 

 overhead trellis, making use of straw, dried 

 grass, or brush for a covering such as is used 

 in Arizona and Cuba. See cuts pages 22 and 

 23. These trellises are about 7 feet high, 

 and run from east to west,* so that the sun, 

 nearly overhead as it is in Arizona, never 

 strikes the hives from morning till night. 

 These trellised shades, if there are no trees, 

 are indispensable in hot localities. They 

 thoroughly protect the bees, prevent combs 

 melting down, and render the work of the 

 apiarist pleasant. 



Ikit some bee-keepers prefer to use shade- 

 boards. These consist of large covers cleat- 

 ed at the ends, and made of two or three 

 boards of the cheapest lumber that can be 

 had. They sliould be large enough to pro- 

 ject a foot over the front and rear, and an 



*In Cuba or other humid countries the sheds 

 should run north and south, for the hives need the 

 sun in tlie morning and late afternoon to dry them. 

 Protection is requii-ed only during the heat of the 

 day when the sun is overhead. 



equal distance on each side. They are then 

 held securely in place by a stone weighing 

 15 or 20 pounds. 



But whenever one manipulates these hives 

 he is required to lift a heavy stone and re- 

 move an awkward shade-board before lie 

 can do any work with the bees. 



When bee- hives are placed in long rows 

 close together, as under a shed or on a roof, 

 it is very essential that the hives differ from 

 each other in appearance so that the bees 

 may distinguish their own hive from all the 

 rest. This differentiation may be accom- 

 plished in various ways ; first, by painting 

 the hives different colors ; second, by using 

 a different entrance or alighting-board; 

 third, by laying a stone or brick on some 

 boards and not on others ; fourth, by plac- 

 ing a piece of brush on the front of some 

 hives, etc. The idea is to place some dis- 

 tinctive mark by which each hive may be 

 quickly recognized by its tenants. The 

 best place to make such mark is at the en- 

 trance so that all the bees can see it, both 

 on leaving and returning. 



WINDtiKEAKS. 



The most perfect windbreak is an inclos- 

 ure of woods on three sides, with an open- 

 ing to the south. This, however, is not 



