70 THE APIART. 



observatory hive described in another chapter, would bo 

 desirable in such a situation. It is quite common to set 

 the hives upon the roof of a building ; Mr. Muth, of 

 Cincinnati, keeps quite a number of colonies upon the 

 roof of his store, with excellent success. The illustra- 

 tion (fig. 17), shows several colonies arranged upon the 

 roof of a piazza and house, in the village of Ilion, N. Y. 



AEKANGEMENT OF THE HITES. 



Where a large number of hives is to be kept in one 

 yard, it is desirable to have them in as compact form as 

 practicable, as the movements of the bees can thus be 

 more easily observed, and the buildings or rooms occupi- 

 ed in the necessary operations, will be more accessible 

 from all parts of the apiary. When convenient, I prefer 

 arranging the hives in the form of a square. Where there 

 are but few colonies, of course their disposition is imma- 

 terial. If a small building is erected, as it should be, 

 for immediate convenience in practical operations, it 

 should be placed at the center of the apiary, or in the 

 most accessible locality. 



Fig. 18 shows the arrangement of my own apiary, with 

 a tight fence in the rear, and this building in the center. 

 The house should be about 8x10 feet, and made per- 

 fectly bee-tight. In periods of scarcity, bees are attract- 

 ed even by the smallest opening, and will be seen vigor- 

 ously at work, endeavoring to gain admission, it is pre- 

 ferable to cover the bottom of the house with hydraulic 

 cement, instead of ordinary flooring. The door should 

 close with a weight or spring, so that it may never be 

 left open, unless intentionally. Windows should be 

 arranged on opposite sides, to give ample circulation of 

 air, when desired, and the sash made movable or hung 

 with hinges. Lights of glass reaching the entire length 

 of the sash, are best, as in transferring, or like opera- 



