THE BEE. 97 



TO CULTIVATE BEE-FLOWERS. 



Bees are most fond of those places where their favorite flow- 

 ers are found ; therefore bee-keepers should encourage the 

 growth of such shrubs and flowers as are known to supply 

 honey and wax in the greatest abundance. In most situations 

 bees do not fly far for food— generally not more than half a 

 mile ; they may be observed to return with great precipitation 

 to the hive, as the storm approaches. The following are the 

 most favorable for pasturage, and those which blossom early 

 are the most desirable: — 



Shrubs. Flowers. 



Sallow, or the gray willow, Lemon-thyme, 



Rosemary, White clover. 



Barberry-tree, Garden and wild thyme, 



Goose berry- tree, Barage, 



Raspberry-tree, Winter-savoy, 



Apricot, and other fruit-trees. Hyssop, 

 Lime-trees, Mustard, 



Furze, Turnip, 



Broom, Cabbage, 



Heath. Scarlet and other beans when 



in bloom, 



TO MANAGE BEES GENERALLY. 



The best situation for bees is to the north. The stations for 

 the hives must be six yards asmider, and never nearer than, 

 three yards. The board on which they are placed ought to be 

 of one piece ; or if joined, the under side of the joining should 

 be lined with a thinner board, fixed closely wiih wooden pins. 

 The edges of this rounded standard should project four inches 

 all round the hive. Place it on three wooden pillars sixteen 

 inches above the ground, but six inches should be firmly thrust 

 into the earth. The pillar in front should be an inch shorter 

 than the others, and three pillars should be within tAvelve or 

 fourteen inches of the outer edge of the board, to exclude rats 

 and mice. For .the same reason, no tall-growing plant, no wall, 

 nor any means of ascent, should be within three or four feet of 

 the hive. In fine weather, the entrance to the hive must be five 

 inches long and an inch and a half in depth. In the begin- 

 ning of the fine season, when the bees can get food, or have 

 stores remaining, the bee-master has nothing to do but to keep 

 the ground about the hives clear from weeds, and from what- 

 ever might enable vermin to climb there. Yet, as a thriving 

 stock inclines very soon to swarm, the hives must be frequently 

 looked after, from eight in the morning till three in the after- 

 noon. The symptoms are generally these : the little city 

 seems crowded with inhabitants ; they are in continual motion 



