Where to Locate. 117 



with bees. It is a well-established fact, that apiarists with few 

 colonies receive relatively larger profits than those with large 

 apiaries. While this may be owing in part to better care, 

 much doubtless depends on the fact that there is not an undue 

 proportion of bees to the number of honey-plants, and conse- 

 quent secretion of nectar. To have the undisputed monopoly 

 of an area reaching at least four miles in every direction from 

 your apiary, is unquestionably a great advantage. 



If you desire to begin two kinds of business, so that your 

 dangers from possible misfortune may be lessened, then a 

 small farm — especially a fruit farm — in some locality where 

 fruit-raiising is successfully practiced, will be very desirable. 

 You thus add others of the luxuries of life to the products 

 of your business, and at the same time may create additional 

 pasturage for your bees by simply attending to your other 

 business. In this case, your location becomes a more complex 

 matter, and will demand still greater thought and attention. 

 Some of Michigan's most successful apiarists are also noted as 

 successful pomologists. 



For position and arrangement of apiary see Chapter VI. 



