THE APIARY. 73 



be spread •where the hive is to stand, and an accurate 

 level obtained by means of a spirit-level. 

 , Instead of gravel, sawdust has frequently been recom- 

 mended, and used with satisfaction by some. Others ob- 

 ject to it from its liability to take fire. Where the bel- 

 lows- sni,oker is used, there is not much force in this objec- 

 tion. ,,If clean gravel can be secured, the whole yard may 

 be covered to advantage, leaving it highest where the 

 hives are to stand. If the gravel is thick enough, and of 

 the right kind, it will pack and prevent grass from grow- 

 ing. If the ground is kept in grass, that should be kept 

 cut short. 



DISADVANTAGE OF HIGH STANDS. 



When bees come in heavily loaded, towards evening, 

 or on a chilly day, or are driven in by a sudden shower, 

 even if there is no wind, they are very apt to miss the 

 hive, and be unable to gain the entrance, if it is placed at 

 a distance from the groudd. On the other hand, if the 

 hive is near the earth, and an alighting board is arranged 

 to reach from the ground to the entrance, they can always 

 creep, long after they are unable to fly, and can thus usu- 

 ally regain the hive, when they can not use their wings. 

 If such facilities are afforded, a large number of bees may 

 be saved. 



Belonging to different hives, the loss is often imper- 

 ceptible, yet the aggregate saving from a large apiary 

 would be of much importance. If any evidence is need- 

 ed of the truth of this assertion, an examination of the 

 ground about the hives, at night, particularly when a 

 little chilly, will reveal a much greater loss than is gen- 

 erally imagined. 



MARKING THE LOCATION. 



When bees are first set out in spring, or when moved 

 to a new home, they invariably mark their location. As 

 4 



