FLOWER CULTURE AND BEES- 175 



hives. Both bees and bee-keeper are protected alike from the 

 direct rays of the sun. 



Gardens, both kitchen and flower, are always the better for a 

 few bees kept therein, especially if fruit-trees are also grown in 

 the former. 



The only places that are not suited for bee-culture are ex- 

 tensive plains, and the vicinity of large areas of water. On large 

 plains, because the blooming period of indigenous flowers is short 

 and capricious, and the honey flow does not last so long as in hilly 

 districts ; where there are large areas of water, because aquatic 

 flora is not worth mentioning, except in the shallows near thje 

 shore, which are well stocked with nymphias, &c. In the neigh- 

 bourhood of broad rivers and lakes, bees going foraging can cross 

 them readily; but, when returning laden, many hundreds fall 

 victims to the length of the homeward flight, especially in windy 

 weather, and are drowned. 



The most important point is to select a site for bee-keeping, 

 no matter if it be on a large or small scale, where there is plenty 

 of native flora within the radius of at most two miles. The 

 nearer these are to the bees the better. Close proximity to fruit 

 orchards and lucerne paddocks is an advantage. The hive should 

 be so placed as to secure the greatest protection from the prevail- 

 ing cold winds. 



