SOUTHERN BEE CULTURE 83 



amount of honey, and pollen too, should there be any in the comib on the 

 outside of the cluster of bees; besides, they will tear down the comb and 

 perhaps build a nest in it; and they will kill many bees, pulling them apart 

 at their waist, and eat out their interior parts. 



SHADE AND LOCATION FOR BEES. 



There can be no doubt that bees need shade here in the South during our 

 warmest weather, for many colonies and no small amount of honey are lost 

 here each season by the hives being exposed to the direct heat of the sun. 

 In locating an apiary we should have this subject in mind and, if possible, 

 locate it in some thinly shaded place, for a dense shade such as scuppernong 

 or grape-arbors, and the shade of the umbrella china-trees and other low 

 dense trees is not good shade for bees, for there is too much dampness under 

 it for bees ; and, besides, such a shade would be a hindrance to the flight of 

 the bees. Fruit-trees furnish good shade for bees, but usually the land is 

 cultivated in orchards, and for this reason it would not be a good place to 

 locate an apiary. Small low pine-trees furnish good shade for bees during 

 summer ; but as they should not be shaded in winter this would not be a good 

 place for the apiary. Under large tall timber is not a good place, because 

 bees will often settle in the tops of such trees. There is no better location 

 for bees than under small oaks of any kind, for they furnish shade during 

 warm weather and shed their leaves in the fall and give the bees the full 

 benefit of the sun. in winter, which they need. If it is desired to plant out 

 some trees in a suitable place to furnish shade for the bees, there is nothing 

 better for this purpose than the pecan-trees, for they furnish good shade and 

 nuts too. 



If there is no available shade, bees can be shaded by laying boards or 

 planks over the hives; but it is no small job to remove these every time we 

 look through them. They should be just as light as possible, and extend 

 far enough out to shade the alighting-board and the side of the hives most 

 exposed to the evening sun, as well as the cover of the hives. 



Bees should never be placed in some out-of-the-way place, for they are 

 much gentler where they see you constantly passing; and besides, it is more 

 convenient to give them attention. 



There is nothing more attractive about a home than a well-cared-for 

 apiary located in the same grove as your home, in full view of the road or 

 public highway; and it will furnish the passers-by a source of many long 

 interesting conversations ; and if the apiary is located near your home, where 

 you can see the little streams of bees pouring into and out of the hives, and 

 hear the heavy roar of the mighty army of busy toilers at night, it will fur- 

 nish an inspiration that could not come from any other source. 



