flEPORTS. • 39 



building on all sides, with only a comparatively small opening 

 for passage-way. But to tins structure we equally object. Both 

 poles should be avoided ; for truly between these there is, doubt- 

 less, a golden mean, far preferable to every other structure. A 

 very simple arrangement would be this, and we believe it will 

 meet all the wants of the bee, and present fewer obstacles to it 

 than most any other. Erect at regular intervals in the ground, 

 where you locate your bees, a few perpendicular posts of suffi- 

 cient length to be made firm in the earth, and at the same time, 

 to allow a form to be constructed upon which the hives may rest, 

 and also a roof to shelter these from the rains and snows and 

 from the heat of the sun. Should no hill or embankment||;pro- 

 tect this simple, open structure, let a wall or a board screen be 

 erected a little in the rear of it, for the purpose of breaking the 

 strong currents of air which might otherwise sweep through it 

 to the great detriment of the bees. With such an apiary as now 

 described, the bees will have free ingress and egress in all direc- 

 tions, without experiencing the hostile blasts at home ; and yet 

 experiencing a proper circulation of air, which is very desirable, 

 yea, essential to their comfort. 



To add a thought farther here, w*e observe, it matters compara- 

 tively little which way such an apiary fronts. The bees will 

 rearlily depart and return to their hives, let this be in any direct- 

 tion. In the location of his apiary, therefore, let the bee-keeper 

 be guided by the situation and the conveniences of his garden, 

 selecting, however, as pleasant a place as can be found. An 

 easterly or southerly front is preferable, especially if it opens uj^- 

 on flowery fields, and is under the overspreading arms of some 

 noble elm or other shade tree. For the bees there should be a 

 shade either natural or artificial, at least in Summer. Upon this 

 point well does the idea of Virgil agree with our own, 



"First, for tliy bees a quiet station find, 

 And lodge them under covert of the wind ; 



