2 14 Apiary Grounds, 



CHAPTER VI. 

 Position and Arrangement of Apiary. 



As it is desirable to have our apiary grounds so fixed as 

 to give the best results, and as this costs some money and 

 more labor, it should be done once for all. As plan and 

 execution in this direction must needs precede even the pur- 

 chase of bees, this subject deserves an early consideration. 

 Hence we will proceed to consider position, arrangement 

 of grounds, and prepai-ation for each individual colony. 



POSITION. 



Of course, it is of the first importance that the apiary be 

 near at hand. In city or village this is imperative. In th& 

 country, or at suburban homes, we have more choice, but 

 close proximity to the house is of much importance. In a 

 city it may be necessary to follow Friend Muth's example, 

 and locate on the house-tops, where, despite the inconven- 

 ience, we may achieve success. The lay of the ground is 

 not important, though if a hill, it should not be very steep. 

 It may slope in any direction, but better any way than 

 tov/ard the north. Of course each hive should stand 

 perfectly level. 



ARRANGEMENT OF GROUNDS. 



Unless sandy, these should be v^rell drained. If a grove 

 offers inviting shade, accept it, but trim high to avoid damp. 

 Such a grove could soon be formed of bass-wood and tulip 

 trees, which, as we shall see, are very desirable, as their 

 bloom offers plenteous and most delicious honey. Even 

 Virgil urged shade of palm and olive, also that we screen the 

 bees from winds. Wind-screens are very desirable, espe- 

 cially on the windward side. Such a screen may be formed 

 of a tall board fence, which, if it surrounds the grounds, will 

 also serve to protect against thieves. Yet these are gloomy 

 and forbidding, and will be eschewed by the apiarist who 

 has an eye to esthetics. Evergreen screens, either of Nor- 



