CHAPTER V. 



THE APIARY. 



LOCATION. 



Taking into consideration the climate, the flora, both 

 indigenous and exotic, and the results which have here- 

 tofore followed the introduction of bee culture in all 

 parts of Australasia, I feel safe in saying that there is 

 no part of it which is at all fitted for European settle- 

 ment where the culture of bees may not be carried on to 

 a greater or less extent with advantage, but it does not 

 therefore follow that every district is adapted for the 

 working of extensive apiaries. No person should 

 attempt the establishment of a large apiary without 

 first making himself acquainted with the resources of 

 the neighbourhood, and to do this effectually he must 

 first have a knowledge of the flora which is best suited 

 to his purpose. Clover honey being in greatest demand 

 and the most profitable to raise, it is wise to select a 

 district where plenty of white clover is grown, a 

 dairying district for instance. Sheep farming or crop- 

 ping districts are not desirable. New Zealand offers 

 large stretches of clover country to choose from, 

 extending almost the length of the two islands. In the 

 chapter on " Bee Forage" I have dealt with the best of 

 the Native flora of Australia and New Zealand. 



The instructions which follow are based on the 

 supposition that a fair sized apiary of from seventy-five 

 to a hundred colonies will be sooner or later established. 



SHELTER. 



Next to selecting a good locality, arranging for good 

 shelter is the most important matter. The conforma- 



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