WATERING PLACES 41 



of doors, it is well to have these stands large enough to accom- 

 modate two or four colonies, whichever is the unit used for a 

 single packing case. (See Chapter XIII on Wintering.) They 

 can thus be left in the same position all year. 



Bees coming in heavily laden during the honey flow often 

 drop to the ground some distance from the hive and are unable 

 to rise again. It is thus of considerable advantage to have the 

 hive in such a position that they can crawl into it. For this 

 reason high stands of any kind are not to be recommended. Any 

 one who will watch the bees carefully for a few minutes during 

 the height of the season will see at once that the loss of these 

 heavily laden bees would be considerable in hives placed a few 

 inches above the ground. For this same reason the hive stand 

 18 usually made with a gradual slope in front of the hive, to make 

 it as easy as possible for the bees to reach home. 



_ It is also important to keep down grass and weeds in the 

 apiary. While considerable work is required to keep the grass 

 closely cut during the busy season, it will pay well to do so. If 

 the apiary is properly fenced, a few sheep will do the work in 

 a very satisfactory manner without disturbing the bees. Ducks 

 are sometimes used for the same purpose. 



Watering Places.— In early spring when brood rearing is 

 at Its height, there is frequently much annoyance from bees 

 about watering troughs, drinking fountains and other similar 

 places. Large numbers of bees about a watering place frequently 

 lead to an attempt by the town council to prohibit the keeping of 

 bees within the corporate limits. It is in the small town, which 

 has not yet reached the point of providing a common city water 

 supply, that such diificulties most frequently develop. 



Bee-keepers should bear in mind the need of the bees for 

 large quantities of water for brood rearing, and see that it is 

 within easy reach. In early spring when the weather is very 

 changeable, it is important to save the bees as far as possible. If 

 they are compelled to go far from the hive for water, many will 

 be lost from the sudden drops of temperature common to that 



