284 LAWS THAT CONCERN THE BEE-KEEPER 



tised and has been the source of so much litigation of one kind 

 and another that an extended account of the rights of both the 

 bee-keeper and his neighbor can very properly be taken up. 

 While the courts have held that bee-keeping is a legitimate pur- 

 suit and as such cannot be prevented by general legislation that 

 declares the bees to be a nuisance whether they are so in fact 

 or not there is a, general principle that will provide relief from 

 undue annoyance. 



Causes of Trouble. — Before taking up the consideration of 

 the law in this special relationship it may be well to consider 

 the causes that lead to friction between the bee-keeper and his 

 neighbors. So many instances of trouble of this kind arise that 

 small towns and cities are frequently urged to pass ordinances 

 to prohibit the keeping of bees within the incorporated limits. 



Spotting Clothes. — When the bees are brought from the 

 cellar in spring or when they are able to take their first flight 

 after long confinement the abdomens are distended with retained 

 fa?ces. As soon as they can fly this is voided in large drops of 

 offensive refuse. If it happens that the bees fly for the first time 

 when the wash is on the line the white clothes are badly soiled as 

 a result. 



The bec'-keeper should avoid if possible setting cellar win- 

 tered bees out when the neighbors are washing. Bees seldom 

 fly far on the first flight and clothes are not likely to be soiled 

 far from the bee hives. As a rule it is the near neighbors who 

 will be the sufferers. If the bees are likely to fly on wash day 

 the situation should be explained and some provision made to 

 avoid having the clothes exposed. After two or three nice days 

 there will be little further trouble, as this spotting is only notice- 

 able after long confinement without opportunity to void the 

 excrement. 



Watering Places. — ^With bee-keepers as with others " An 

 ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and if the bee- 

 keeper is diplomatic he can usually avoid annoying his neigh- 



