Beekeeping as an Occupation 



19 



large highly col- 

 ored flowers, and 

 the cultivated 

 varieties of the 

 flower garden are 

 of insignificant 

 value. Bees fly 

 for two or three 

 miles for forage 

 and may go even 

 farther in emer- 

 gency. In choos- 

 ing a location, 

 it is therefore 

 necessary that 



FIG. 16. Apiary on shed roof, to economize space. 



in the range of flight there be an adequate supply of nectar- 

 producing plants. The ideal location is obviously one in 



which the nectar 

 supply is near 

 so that it may 

 be obtained 

 without the loss 

 of energy inci- 

 dent to long 

 flights. 



Results to be ex- 

 pected. 



The stori'es 

 sometimes told 

 of the crops that 



have been obtained from single colonies or of the rapidity with 

 which the number of colonies may be increased are apt to mis- 

 lead the beginner. While several hundred pounds of honey 

 may at times be obtained from a single colony in a season, 

 this is by no means usual. In apiaries managed for comb- 

 honey production, it is perhaps fair to estimate the average 



FIG. 17. Tropical apiary, San Sabastian, Porto 

 Rico. 



