82 



THK PRACTICAL BEF, QUIDE. 



into the ground, at one side of the hive, for use when prepara- 

 tions are being made for winter (380). Grass and weeds must 

 be kept down in the vicinity of the hives. If allowed to grow, 

 they intercept the flight, and should a queen drop off a frame, 

 or a clipped queen (211) fall on the ground at swarming time, 

 she may easily be trodden on, or lost. It will save much trouble 



"X ■ 



rig. 65. 



STAND IN USE. 



Fig. 66. 

 APPLIANOK PRESS. 



if the sod be lifted around and in front of the hives, and a 

 good coat of concrete, gravel, or cinders be laid down. The 

 plot selected should be fenced to prevent cattle, pigs, etc., 

 from interfering with the hives. 



148. Appliance Press and Apiary House — It is most incon- 

 venient to have the appliances stored at a distance from tha 

 apiary. To leave things about the house means often to have 

 them mislaid; and to run to and fro when engaged manipu- 

 lating is often to put an undue tax upon the temper, and to 

 raise a riot among the bees. A press on legs, made of old 

 boxes, painted, with a waterproof roof (Fig. 66), and that can 

 be carried from place to place if necessary, will be found to 

 amply repay the trouble of making it. For an apiary of more 

 than five or six hives, an apiary-house should be provided in 

 which all tools and appliances can be kept, frames and sections 

 put together, hives nailed, honey extracted, and all the various 

 jobs have attention. Such a house can be made at a trifling 

 expense, while the assistance it gives, and the time it saves 

 arr incalculable. 



