1894. 



TEE AMERICA* BEE-KEEPER. 



and during white clover and bassvtood 

 bloom, as an expression of gratitude 

 and in evidence of the truly meritor- 

 ious effect of stimulative feeding, 

 that colony erected a beautiful white 

 monument composed of 225 well fin- 

 ished sections of comb honey. 

 Titusville, Pa., May 29, 1894. 



Where Shall We Locate? 



BY W. M. BARN! M. 



When one has made up his mind to 

 try the pleasures and vicissitudes of 

 the bee business — or, perhaps, return 

 to it, — the question comes up "Where 

 shall we locate." Oft times circum- 

 stances make a choice impossible ; 

 Yet we may consider the question as 

 open to all, and therefore one of ma- 

 terial importance. 



When ones ability permits, he 

 should select either a southern or east- 

 ern slope. This secures to him, first, a 

 dry apiary ; secondly, a warm one — in- 

 asmuch as the sun may be of benefit. 

 These two points are important ones; 

 particularly during the spring of the 

 year. At this time the warmth of the 

 sun is especially beneficial- Many 

 good apiarists go so far as to claim 

 that an eastern or southern direction 

 to the apiary, adds from thirty to 

 forty-five minutes to the bees " working 

 day ; " which if true, may meam con- 

 siderable during a rapid honey How. 

 Dampness is recognized by all to be 

 particularly fatal to all "domestic" 

 creatures, — and our bees are no excep- 

 tion to the rule. It menus mouldy 

 combs, "spring dwindling " — and the 

 final decay of the colony. Therefore, 

 avoid all such conditions; in locating 

 your apiary look well " to the east ! " 



If we have found our location and 



all is well, the next point that demands 

 our attention is the arrangement of it 

 to best advantage. We have found 

 that an eastern or southern slope or 

 facing is best — the next thing is to 

 arrange the hives in the best and most 

 convenient form. This may safely 

 be left to the discretion and common- 

 sense of the apiarist; some form of 

 order should be observed, however, as 

 it greatly facilitates in the manage- 

 ment and work of the apiary. Some 

 kind of wind-break may become neces- 

 sary, as well as shade for the hives. 

 A high board fence will answer, but 

 it is forbidding and gloomy; a row of 

 evergreens is far more inviting and 

 answers the purpose full as well. If 

 the apiary is situated in a grove, the 

 branches of the trees need to be 

 trimmed high; otherwise the ground 

 will become cold and damp. 



Grape-vines trained upon a trellis 

 are advocated by many as the most 

 convenient form of shade; but I have 

 found them to be rather in the way, 

 and difficult to handle — especially 

 during swarming time. I much pre- 

 fer a light shade board, which should 

 be placed at the side or upon the 

 cover of the hive. If the hitter, place 

 something beneath, elevating it above 

 the cover; to permit of the free circu- 

 lation of air beneath. 



In large apiaries a -mall honey- 

 houes may beeonie a necessity ; this 

 should be located in the center of the 

 apiary, — with avenues or roads lead- 

 ing out from it. This house will be 

 handy both as a store-room for the 

 honey and as a work shop. It should 

 be well constructed, with double walls, 

 dry anil vermin proof. Each window 

 and door needs to have screens with 

 bee-escapes (openings) at the top. 



All these arrangements however, 

 need to come "in due time;" let the 

 business grow with the bees, — and let 

 judgment and good common sense rule 

 supreme. 



Denver, Colo. 



