CHAPTER III 



THE LOCATION AND THE ARRANGEMENT 

 OF THE APIARY 



WHERE to put the hives is the first question, and 

 this must be determined by two or three conditions 

 necessary for the health and comfort of the bees. 

 Hives should be placed where the sunshine may 

 reach them in the morning up to eight or nine o'clock, 

 and in the afternoon from three to four o'clock. An 

 old orchard such as is kept because of picturesque 

 beauty rather than for its crop of apples is an ideal 

 place. The clean-culture orchards of the modern 

 horticulturists are undoubtedly more efficient as 

 producers of apples and money; but we are always 

 grateful that there are still remaining many fine old 

 orchards, on sod ground where the trees, more or less 

 gnarled and twisted, are a joy to the artistic eye. 

 Little wonder that such a place is the ideal spot for 

 the apiary; if the hives are grouped four or 'five 

 together beneath one tree, the requirements of shade 

 will be met. 



If there is no old orchard, what then ? A young 

 orchard will do, unless clean culture is practised; in 

 the latter case horses and cultivator will not be per- 

 mitted on the domain of the bee-people. If no 

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