2i8 Shade Boards. 



■we may connect them at intervals of eighteen inches with 

 three galvanized wires, the last one being at the top of the 

 posts. Thus we can have shade and grapes, and can see 

 for ourselves that bees do not injure grapes. These should 

 be at least six feet apart. A. I. Root's idea of having the 

 vine of each succeeding row divide the spaces of the 

 previous row, in quincunx order (Fig. 86), is very good; 

 though I should prefer the rows in this case to be four 

 instead of three feet apart. I have tried grape-vines and 

 evergreens to shade hives and do not like them. They are 

 too much in the way. Unless I can have a grove trimmed 

 high up I much prefer a simple shade board as already 

 suggested. This is simply a wide board nailed to the edge 

 of two cross boards which are about four inches wide. I 

 make these eighteen inches wide by two feet long. I have 

 some even larger. If one cross board is a little narrower 

 it gives a slant that insures a rapid removal of the water'in 

 a rain. I have never known these shade boards to blow 

 off. Should they do so a second board parallel to the 

 shade board could be nailed to the cross boards. A brick 

 placed on this would make all secure. This shade board 

 is inexpensive, alwaj's out of the way, and ready for 

 service. 



Many apiarists economize by using fruit trees for shade, 

 which from their spreading tops serve w^ell, though often 

 from their low branches they are not pleasant to work 

 under. Mr. Doolittle thinks if hives are painted white 

 shade is unnecessary. Mr. A. I. Root's idea of having 

 sawdust under and about the hives has much to recommend 

 it. The objection to sawdust is the danger from fire. I 

 have used sawdust, cement, asphalt, etc. I think on the 

 whole a fine grass lawn kept closely and smoothly mown 

 is as convenient as any plan, and it certainly has taste and 

 beauty to recommend it. If closely mown, one will rarely 

 lose a queen. While ashes or sawdust make a queen 

 walking upon them more conspicuous, I much prefer the 

 beauti'ful grass plat. 



