BEE-KEEPING 253 



alighting board of the hive, a board the same 

 width as the entrance should slope gently to 

 the ground, otherwise bees returning home 

 heavily laden with honey or pollen, very 

 often drop just short of the alighting board 

 from fatigue, and since, owing to their bur- 

 dens, they are unable to rise, frequently perish. 



Bees depend largely upon white clover for The situation 



r . . . of the hive 



their supply or honey, so that it is necessary 

 to ascertain before establishing an apiary that 

 white clover grows freely in the neighbour- 

 hood. 



Fruit trees of every kind, white and red 

 clover, Sainfoin and lime trees are all excel- 

 lent in proximity to an apiary. 



There should be a shed or building fairly 

 near to the apiary, where hives, appliances, 

 etc., may be kept, and all necessary work 

 done. If it is to be used for extracting 

 honey it should be made " bee-proof," that 

 is, there must be no crevice large enough 

 either in walls, windows or under doors 

 through which a bee can enter. 



