Vs 
BEES. t 
early in the day, and thus gain an advantage by getting the first sup- 
ply of nectar. It is also advantageous to have the hives shaded 
during the hottest part of the day, so that the bees will not hang out in 
front of the hive mstead of working. They should be so placed that 
the bees will not prove a nuisance to passers-by or disturb livestock. 
This latter precaution may save the bee keeper considerable trouble, 
for bees sometimes prove dangerous, especially to horses. 
The plot on which the hives are placed should be kept free from 
weeds, especially in front of the entrances. The hives should be 
far enough apart to permit of free manipulation. If hives are too 
close together there is danger of bees entering the wrong hive on 
returning, especially in the spring. 
Fic. 1.—A well-arranged apiary. 
These conditions, which may be considered as ideal, need not all 
be followed. When necessary bees may be kept on house tops, 
in the back part of city lots, in the woods, or in many other places 
where the ideal conditions are not found. As a matter of fact, few 
aplaries are perfectly located; nevertheless, the location should be 
carefully planned, especially when a large number of colonies are 
kept primarily for profit. 
As a rule, it is not considered best to keep more than 100 colonies 
in one apiary, and apiaries should be at least 2 miles apart. There 
are so many factors to be considered, however, that no general rule 
can be laid down. The only way to learn how many colonies any 
given locality will sustain is to study the honey flora and the record of 
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