120 



THE AMERICAN APIGULTURIST. 



QUESTIONS BY J. H. WIRDMAN. 

 ANSWERS BY THK EDITOR. 



1. Do you think it advisable to set 

 tlie bottom of a liive dii'ectly on tlie 

 ground, or is it better to set it on a 

 stand or blocks, leaving au air space 

 below the hive : and if so, how much 

 space should be left? 



And in leaving the air space, do you 

 think that it should be enclosed up to 

 the bottom of the hive? 



Ans. Hives should always be so lo- 

 cated and placed that the bottom boards 

 will not gather dampuess, but should 

 not be raised so higli from the ground, 

 that during cold days, when the wind 

 is chilly, tne bees returning from the 

 field will be blown under the hive upon 

 the cold damp ground from which they 

 can seldom arise owing to their being 

 heavily laden and tired out. 



It is best if possible to have the spot 

 where the hives set raised a little in 

 the shape of a mound above the sur- 

 roundiug grounds, and then the hives 

 should be seton rough stands (hemlock 

 is good) raised about 4 inches from the 

 ground leaving a free opening under 

 the hive. A slanting board ou which 

 the bees may alight should be placed 

 in front of the hives. 



4. What is your opinion of wire iu 

 frames? 



Aus. If the wire is so well embedded 

 in the wax that it is entirely covered, 

 and full sheets of foundation are used 

 and well fastened on the top and bot- 

 tom to the frames, it is valuable, 

 especially for use in hives in which 

 new swarms are to be placed; but if 

 tlie wires are exposed or left protrud- 

 ing at the bottom of the foundation, 

 the bees will sometimes gnaw out. 

 For general use, however, we have 

 found the foundation without wire 

 more handy and equally good; but care 

 must also be taken iu using the latter. 



5. What is your opinion of metal 

 rabbets iu hives, and of metal support- 

 ing arms on frames? 



Ans. We have never found any metal 

 supports for top bars equal to the 

 common wood top bars of the frame. 



6. What do you consider to be the 

 best material with which to cover the 

 frames, at all seasons of the year? 



Aus. Light duck. 



LETTER BOX. 



2. What distance should hives set 

 apart when set either hexagonally or 

 in straight rows? 



Ans. "while bees will do well when 

 the hives set about two feet apart in 

 straight rows, with the rows from four 

 to six feet apart, yet we prefer setting 

 them hexagoually, and six feet from 

 centres. 



3. In what direction should the en- 

 trance of a hive fiice? Should all the 

 hives iu an apiary face in one direction ? 

 If facing in different directions, should 

 any face the north? 



Ans. If possible the hives should 

 face the southeast, although tliey 

 could face the south, and perhaps the 

 south, southwest. This again depends 

 somewhat on the protection from 

 winds. One should so place and face 

 his hives that when the bees arrive at 

 the entrance, they will be protected 

 from the cold winds; those from the 

 west, north and northeast, being the 

 most destructive. Also during Spring 

 time and mornings, the bees need 

 the warm sunshine that comes from 

 the south and southeast. 



Clinton, Mich., April I2, iSSj. 

 Friend Locke : 



The American Apiculturist, Vols. 

 I and 2 bound together, duly re- 

 ceived. I must say it is a work of art. 

 Your binder fully understands his 

 business. It is a pleasure and com- 

 fort when you open it at any place 

 to have it stay so without holding. 

 I have just had six volumes of 

 "Gleanings" bound in Toledo by 

 a first-class binder, but they do 

 not compare with the work on the 

 American Apiculturist. 



This work should be in the hands 

 of and read by every beekeeper, be- 

 ing full of practical ideas. No one 

 can read it but to be benefited there- 



May you ever succeed m your 

 noble undertaking is the wish of 

 your friend, 



H. D. Cutting. 



