156 Preparations for Hives. 



69), is very good; though I should prefer the rows in this 

 case to be four, instead of three feet apart, especially with 

 ever-greens. Until protecting shade can be thus permanently 

 secured, boards or tent cloth covers should be arranged for 

 temporary protection. Many apiarists economize by using 

 fruit trees for this purpose, which from their spreading tops 

 answer very well. 



Mr. A. I. Eoot's idea of having sawdust under and about 

 the hives is, I think, a good one. The hives of the Michigan 

 Agricultural College (Fig. 70) are protected by evergreens, 

 trimmed close on the north side. In the figure the artist has 

 made a deciduous tree, and so it appears too spreading. A 

 space four feet by six, north of the shrubs, was then dug out 

 to a depth of four inches, and tilled with sawdust (Fig. 70, /), 

 underlying which were old bricks, so that nothing would grow 

 up through the sawdust. The sawdust thus extends one foot 

 back, or west of the hive, three feet north, and the same 

 distance to the east or front side of the hive. This makes it 

 neat about the hive, and largely removes the danger of losing 

 the queen in handling the bees ; as should she fall outside the 

 hive, the sharp-sighted apiarist would be very likely indeed 

 to see her. 



Mr. J. H. Nellis, long the able Secretary of the North- 

 Eastern Bee-Keepers' Association, objects to sawdust, as he 

 thinks it rots too quickly, may take fire, and bio about 

 badly. He would use sand or gravel instead. I have found 

 another objection to the above plan. The grass comes up too 

 freely. Having to change our apiary grounds, I dug the 

 hole as above described, and covered the bottom with a thin 

 layer of coal tar, upon which I placed a layer of brick, which 

 I covered with concrete, and all with a thin layer of gravel. 

 This work can be done after the busy season is over. The 

 cost is very light, and we have a neat and permanent founda- 

 tion for each hive. After the evergreens are well started, all 

 the space between the sawdust areas should be in grass, and 

 kept neatly mown. This takes but little time, and makes 

 the apiary always pleasant and inviting. 



