358 THE BEE. 



MANAGEMENT OF BEES. 



Tt is agreed by the most judicious observers, that the 

 apiary, or place where bees are kept, should face the 

 south, and be situated in a place neither too hot nor too 

 much exposed to the cold; that it be near the mansion 

 house, on account of the convenience of watching them ; 

 but so situated as not to be exposed to noisome smells, 

 or the din of men or cattle ; that it be surrounded with 

 a wall, which however should not rise above three feet 

 high; that if possible a running stream be near.them; 

 or if that cannot be, that water be brought near them in 

 troughs, as they cannot produce either combs, honey or 

 food for their maggots without water ; and that the gar- 

 den in which the apiary stands be well furnished with 

 such plants as afford bees plenty of good pasture. Furse, 

 broom, mustard, clover, heath, &c, have been found ex- 

 cellent for this purpose. Hives have been made of dif- 

 ferent materials, and in different forms, according to the 

 fancy of different ages and countries. Not only straw, 

 which experience now proves to be rather preferable to 

 anything else, but wood, horn, glass, &.c, have been used 

 for the construction of them. Single box hives, however, 

 when properly made, answer very well, and when painted 

 last long. They have several advantages above straw 

 hives ; they are quite cleanly and stand upright ; they are 

 proof against mice and are cheaper in the end, for one 

 box will last as long as three of them. They are how- 

 ever rather colder in winter ; but a proper covering will 

 prevent all danger from that quarter. Straw hives are 

 easiest obtained at first, and have been used and recom- 

 mended by the best of bee-masters. If the swarm be 

 early and large, it will require a large hive, but if other- 

 wise, the hive should be proportionally less. If the 

 bees appear to want more room it can easily be enlarged 

 by putting a roll or two below it ; but if it be heavy 

 enough for a stock-hive, it will do although it should not 

 be quite full of combs. Any person (says Mr Bonner) 

 who intends to erect an apiary, must take particular care 

 to have it filled with proper inhabitants. He must be 

 particularly attentive to this, as all his future profit and 



