PRACTICAL BEEKEEPING 41 



is aimed at ; or if queen rearing is to receive the main emphasis, it 

 would be well to look up the bees of the locality and determine 

 whether they would interfere with securing pure matings. The 

 matter of bee diseases, while important in some states, is not at all 

 to be feared in this state. It is well for the beginner to start 

 modestly, with only one or two, or at the most, three or four hives, 

 until a knowledge of the handling of bees is acquired. A few 

 colonies will keep one quite busy learning, and if mistakes are made 

 they are not of serious import financially. After one has learned the 

 management of a small apiary it can be readily increased or added 

 to until the number desired is reached. One person devoting all 

 of his time, with proper facilities, can easily care for from one 

 hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty colonies. With the 

 latter number help at certain seasons of the year might be needed. 



In general a southern or southeastern exposure, on a gentle 

 slope, is the best location for the colonies. A wind brake on the 

 north and the west, in the nature of a building, high board fence or 

 hedge, is an added advantage. A grass plot is good if the grass be 

 kept cut, particularly in front of the hives, so that the bees are not 

 hindered in their flight. The colonies should be placed several 

 inches off the ground, on bricks or stones, or blocks of wood. The 

 hives should stand level from side to side, but may slant a little to 

 the front toward the entrance, to shed the water from the entrance. 

 It is much more convenient if the hives be placed five or six feet 

 apart, so that they can be easily worked without interfering with 

 the adjoining colonies. They may be placed in rows breaking 

 joints with each other and all facing in the same direction ; or, as 

 some do, they may be placed every two rows facing each other, giv- 

 ing an aisle or passage way through at the backs of the colonies. 

 If quite a number of colonies are to be kept they should not be 

 separated too much, as this entails too much lost labor and time 

 in getting about and carrying honey laden combs. For this same 

 reason the apiary should be placed as close as convenient to the 

 room or building designed for use as a shop and honey house. 

 Such a room, though not necessary for a few colonies, is a very 

 desirable thing to have if available. 



Having selected the site, the moving of the bees may be con- 

 sidered here. It may be that the frames in the hive will need wedg- 

 ing preparatory to being moved to prevent the combs from shifting 



