LOCATION. 303 



frame (386) hives, they can rapidly increase their stock 

 after they have acquired skill, and have ascertained, not 

 simply that money can be made by keeping bees, but that theij 

 can make it. 



While large profits can be realized by careful and experi- 

 enced bee-keepers, those "who are other\vise will be almost 

 sure to find their outlay result only in vexatious losses. An 

 apiary neglected or mismanaged is worse than a farm over- 

 grown with weeds or exhausted by ignorant tillage; for the 

 land, by prudent management, may again be made fertile, 

 but the bees, when once destroyed, are a total loss. Of all 

 farm pursuits bee-culture requires the .greatest skill, and it 

 may well be called a business of details. 



567. Wherever the apiary is established, great pains 

 should be taken to protect the bees against high winds. Their 

 hives should be placed where they will not be annoyed by foot 

 passengers or cattle, and should never be very near wliere 

 horses must stand or pass. If managed on the swarming 

 plan, it is very desirable that they should be in full sight 

 of the rooms most occupied, or at least where the sound of 

 their swarming will be easily heard. 



In the Northern and Middle States, the hives should have 

 a South-Eastem, Southern, or South-Western exposure, to 

 give the bees the benefit of the sun, when it will be most con- 

 ducive to their welfare. 



568. The plot occupied by the Apiary should be grassy, 

 mowed frequently, and kept free from weeds. 



Sand, gravel, saw-dust* or coal cinders, spread in front of 

 the hive, will prevent the growing of grass in their (343) 

 immediate vicinity, and be a great help to those overladen 

 bees, that fall to the ground before reaching the entrance. 



Hives are too often placed where many bees perish by fall- 

 ing into dirt, or among the tall weeds and grass, where spiders 

 and toads find their choice lurking-places. 



* Sawdust is perhaps not very safe, owing to danger of Are from the 

 smokers, in very dry weather. 



