No. 4. J BVA<: KKKIMNG. 405 



ways and about the residences often yield a bountiful supply 

 of honey. 



Tlie writer has observed during the present year in the 

 Public (iardcns, on the Connnon and in the parkways in the 

 city of Boston and vicinity large numbers of the best honey- 

 producing })lants and trees to be found anywhere. Last year 

 he observed irrowin<i' wild in mvat al)undance alonjj the shore 

 near the city of Salem the sweet clover {hielilotns alba) that 

 is so attractive to bees, and a prolific honey [)roducer, re- 

 maining in bloom for more than a month. 



A large farm in a rural district is not essential for the suc- 

 cessful kee})ing of bees. They thrive in towns, villages and 

 even large cities. Says Frank Benton, in his bulletin en- 

 titled '' Bee Keeping" : "It even happens in some instances 

 that bees in cities and towns find more abundant pasturage 

 than in country locations Avhich are considered fair." He 

 cites Washington, D. C, as an example, owning to the pres- 

 ence of large numbers of linden trees that have been planted 

 along both sides of many of the streets and avenues of the 

 city. 



Swarms of bees so situated that they are })rotected from 

 strong winds and the extreme cold of Avinter Avill thrive in 

 almost any locality in Massachusetts. It is best that the 

 hive be placed near the ground, as it can be more easily 

 reached by the bees returning heavily laden Avith honey from 

 the fields. This is, however, not absolutely necessary, as 

 swarms do well that are kept in attics of houses or barns or 

 other buildings, the bees being allowed to enter and leave 

 the hive through small openings in the Avails of the build- 

 ings. In localities where there is not too great an exposure 

 or Avinds too strong, hives of bees have been known to pros- 

 })er Avhen placed upon the flat roof of a city building. 



In locating a hive of bees in a thickly settled community, 

 it should never be so i)laced that the bees in leaving or 

 a})proaching the home Avould be compelled to cross a path 

 or walk frequented by people. 



During the early part of July the writer examined a year- 

 old swarm of bees, kept in the rear yard of a house in a 

 country town, that had already during the season produced 



