WATERING PLACES 41 
of doors, it is well to have these stands large enough to accom- 
modate two or four colonies, whichever is the unit used for a 
single packing case. (See Chapter XIII on Wintering.) They 
can thus be left in the same position all year. 
Bees coming in heavily laden during the honey flow often 
drop to the ground some distance from the hive and are unable 
to rise again. It is thus of considerable advantage to have the 
hive in such a position that they can crawl into it. For this 
reason high stands of any kind are not to be recommended. Any 
one who will watch the bees carefully for a few minutes during 
the height of the season will see at once that the loss of these 
heavily laden bees would be considerable in hives placed a few 
inches above the ground. For this same reason the hive stand 
is usually made with a gradual slope in front of the hive, to make 
it as easy as possible for the bees to reach home. 
It is also important to keep down grass and weeds in the 
apiary. While considerable work is required to keep the grass 
closely cut during the busy season, it will pay well to do so. If 
the apiary is properly fenced, a few sheep will do the work in 
a very satisfactory manner without disturbing the bees. Ducks 
are sometimes used for the same purpose. 
Watering Places.—In early spring when brood rearing is 
at its height, there is frequently much annoyance from bees 
about watering troughs, drinking fountains and other similar 
places. Large numbers of bees about a watering place frequently 
lead to an attempt by the town council to prohibit the keeping of 
bees within the corporate limits. It is in the small town, which 
has not yet reached the point of providing a common city water 
supply, that such difficulties most frequently develop. 
Bee-keepers should bear in mind the need of the bees for 
large quantities of water for brood rearing, and see that it is 
within easy reach. In early spring when the weather is very 
changeable, it is important to save the bees as far as possible. If 
they are compelled to go far from the hive for water, many will 
be lost from the sudden drops of temperature common to that 
