SHADE 



37 



results that can be ascribed to shade or to the lack of it. For the 

 comfort of the operator, if for no other reason, a shaded situation 

 would seem to be desirable. Large trees should be avoided, if 

 possible, because of the tendency of swarms to cluster so high as 

 to make it very inconvenient to hive them. Many bee-keepers 

 who have apiaries in the open provide shade boards made of cheap 

 lumber obtained from dry goods boxes or similar sources. About 

 two by three feet is the most popular size for such a shade board. 



Fig. 19. — An apiary without shade. 



This permits the sun to reach the body of the hive early and late 

 in the day, while effective shade is obtained during the hottest 

 period. 



The shade of fruit trees, especially cherry and apple trees, 

 if not set too close together is very satisfactory. Hives should 

 never be painted with dark colors, because of the tendency of 

 such colors to absorb heat. In extremely warm weather, combs 

 will sometimes melt down and the colony be greatly injured or 



