218 Shade Boards. 
we may connect them at intervals of eighteen inches with 
three galvanized wires, the last one being at the top of the 
posts. Thus we can have shade and grapes, and can see 
for ourselves that bees do not injure grapes. These should 
be at least six feet apart. A. I. Root’s idea of having the 
vine of each succeeding row divide the spaces of the 
previous row, in quincunx order (Fig. 86), is very good; 
though I should prefer the rows in this case to be four 
instead of three feet apart. I have tried grape-vines and 
evergreens to shade hives and do not like them. They are 
too much in the way. Unless I can have a grove trimmed 
high up I much prefer a simple shade board as already 
suggested. This is simply a wide board nailed to the edge 
of two cross boards which are about four inches wide. I 
make these eighteen inches wide bv two feet long. I have 
some even larger. If one cross board is a little narrower 
it gives a slant that insures a rapid removal of the water in 
arain. I have never known these shade boards to blow 
off. Should they do so a second board parallel to the 
shade board could be nailed to the cross boards. A brick 
placed on this would make all secure. This shade board 
is inexpensive, always out of the way, and ready for 
service. 
Many apiarists economize by using fruit trees for shade, 
which from their spreading tops serve well, though often 
from their low branches they are not pleasant to work 
under. Mr. Doolittle thinks if hives are painted white 
shade is unnecessary. Mr. A. I. Root’s idea of having 
sawdust under and about the hives has much to recommend 
it. The objection to sawdust is the danger from fire. I 
have used sawdust, cement, asphalt, etc. I think on the 
whole a fine grass lawn kept closely and smoothly mown 
is as convenient as any plan, and it certainly has taste and 
beauty to recommend it. If closely mown, one will rarely 
lose a queen. While ashes or sawdust make a queen 
walking upon them more conspicuous, I much prefer the 
beautiful grass plat. 
