182 THE APIARY. 



kinds and the time of flowering of such plants, shrubs 

 and trees as afford bee pasturage ; such knowledge 

 will be valuable hereafter. 



CHOICE OF GROUND. 



If possible, choose a situation sufficiently elevated 

 to avoid undue moisture,* and at the same time pro- 

 tected by a grove or other natural object from the 

 strong winds. In the absence of natural protection, 

 it is well to erect a break-wind. A close board fence, 

 five feet high, is the most effective. This should in- 

 close a space sufficiently large to allow the sun to 

 shine on the hives when wanted especially in front 

 of them, to warm and dry the ground. This will 

 enable many of the exhausted bees to revive and re- 

 gain their hive. It is better to have bees stand ex- 

 posed to winds and storms in a dry location, than in 

 a damp, shaded place well protected from winds. 



BEE SHADES. 



One of the best and cheapest shades is made by 

 taking eight-feet posts, of large size and durable wood, 



*I have noticed the location of more than one hundred bee 

 trees, and have almost invariably found them to occupy elevated 

 positions, and to be on the dryest land. They are also more fre- 

 quently found on a southern or western exposure, and the bees to 

 enter the cavities through apertures open towards the same points 

 of the compass. 



