8 THE COTTAGE AND FABM BEE KEEPER. 



branch of husbandry— is not far inferior, where water, woods, and 

 meadows divide the land between them. 



The question being settled, " to be or not to be," as regards the es- 

 tablishment of an apiary * next are to be considered sundry necessaria 

 to its well-being, wliich, for facility of reference and conciseness, I 

 have drawn up in a set of rules, gleaned for the most part from a vari- 

 ety of sources, both ancient and modern, at the same time attested by 

 my own experience or approval. They have reference in general to 

 the requisites of every kind of apiary, but are drawn up for the more 

 especial instruction of those who prefer the use of the cottage hive, 

 standing in the open air. I think it unnecessary to dwell upon the 

 subject of pasturage, which has been fully treated of by other writers, 

 because nothing but supplying it, (if it must be supplied artificially,) 

 on a large scale is of any material advantage to the prosperity of an 

 apiary. White clover and buckwheat, (the latter of which is excellent 

 food for poultry,) may be sown largely with double advantage — dover 

 more especially, as sheep and cattle are extremely fond of it ; also the 

 more lawustinus about a house the better for early spring-feeding ; 

 but, beyond this, I would recommend no especial provision for the 

 apiary, as the land so occupied may be cultivated to a much better 

 advantage. To proceed, then. 



1. All out-door bee hives of wood or straw must be placed in a 

 well-sheltered situation. A garden in a valley, well protected on all 

 sides from the effect of high winds, undoubtedly ranks among the first 

 of bee localities ; but it is of little importance where the apiary is sit- 

 uated, so that it be not in a damp spot, nor exposed to the fury of high 

 winds from any quarter. These last are especially detrimental to the 

 prosperity of an apiary, those more particularly which blow from the 

 southwest, round by north, to northeast, and east. 



2. It is of less consequence that the hives be warmly situated in 

 winter, than 'that they be screened from the morning sun in the very 

 early spring, and from the fierce noonday heat of summer and autumn. 

 This is most injurious, although but little attention has been paid to 

 the matter generally. Therefore, by all means let them be protected, 

 if possible, by some verandah or screen from the sun's rays. In this 

 case, the best aspect for them is undoubtedly the southeast or south. 

 If, however, they cannot be thus conveniently and effectually shaded, 

 the hives must be set at the back side of a high wall or fence of trees, 



