15 



the flight of bees will be well above the heads of the passers-by. 

 Neither should they be located too near the premises of an- 

 other. This may be done in some cases where care and wisdom 

 are used. 



Bees are often kept in town or city even oni the flat roofs of 

 buildings. From a shelf built on the side of a tenement 

 block where the bees were cared for through the window, a 

 woman provided her table with honey gathered by her own bees, 

 even though secured under some difficulties. Where one has 

 the will to keep a few bees, a way can usually be found. 



A sheltered location is desirable where the hives shall be pro- 

 tected from the wind, especially from the north wind. If no 

 natural shelter is present, a board fence can be made to serve 

 the purpose. Evergreen trees make a filne shelter and, when 

 once established, need little attention. If trees are large and 

 near the bees, it is sometimes troublsome to secure the swarms 

 which cluster oni them. If the location is so much sheltered 

 that the sun warms it to a point where bees are enticed outside 

 in weather that is not suitable for a safe flight, the bees will drop 

 and perish especially in the fickle weather of our Maine springs, 

 and much harm is done. The yard should inot be located too 

 near a body of water since heavy laden bees will drop into the 

 water and be lost as they return to the hive. If twenty-five 

 rods away from the water, losses will be much less than if 

 lorated within that many feet. 



Sources o:? Honey and Range oe Flight 



If only a few colonies of bees are to be kept, there need be 

 no worry about pasturage as in nearly any location in Maine 

 a few colonies will find enough nectar-'secreting flowers within 

 their range of flight. 



With limited numbers, it may be possible to plant or have 

 planted those crops which will furnish nectar and still provide 

 a crop such as alsike clover or buckwheat, usually a paying 

 proposition alone. 



Bees fly naturally, under normal conditions, a distance of. 

 from one to one and one-half miles in quest of nectar, even 

 with acres of flowers near the bee yard. There is reliable evi- 



