268 THE SMALL COUNTRY PLACE 



air, and the hives are not as much exposed to winds as if 

 on a higher stand. Small apiaries are often placed upon 

 a stand two or three feet high, with a roof over it and 

 where shelter and protection may be afforded during 

 the winter without taking them into the cellar. Suc- 

 cessful apiaries have been located upon the flat roofs of 

 city houses, the bees flying several miles in search of 



honev. ~ 7 . 



The Hives. 



The old "box" hive is a thing of the past, having 

 been superseded by those with movable frames to which 

 the bees attach their combs, and which can be removed 

 at pleasure for examination or rearrangement. 



Upon these frames is often placed "foundation" 

 thin sheets of wax upon which the bees build their 

 combs, this serving as a guide to enable them to put 

 the combs straight and true on each frame. 



There are as many patent hives as of churns and 

 washing machines, many of which possess features of 

 merit, but the more simple the construction the better, 

 and one skilled in the use of carpenter's tools can make 

 for a small cost hives that are practically as good as 

 many that are sold at high prices. 



Surplus Honey. 



The modern method of putting up surplus honey for 

 market is by having small boxes or sections holding 

 just one pound placed upon the top of the hive in such 

 a manner that the bees will fill it in regular and even 

 sheets. When quickly made the comb is very white, 

 and all sections should be taken off as soon as the cells 

 are capped over. The best honey is made from apple 

 blossoms, white clover, basswood, and buckwheat, grad- 

 ing about in the order given. That from other and mixed 

 flowers is of poorer quality. The buckwheat is dark and 



