136 SPBLSTG. 



Had they been placed six feet apart, instead of four 

 inches, he probably would not have lost any, or even 

 two feet might have saved them. I have often moved 

 them at this season, and placed them at three feet dis- 

 tance, and had no bad results. 



Facts like the foregoing, satisfied me long since that 

 stocks should occupy their situation for the summer, 

 as early as possible in the spring, at least before they 

 mark the location ; or if they must be mo^'ed afterl 

 that, let it be nothing short of a mile and a half, and 

 plenty of room between the hives. 



SPACE BETWEEN HIVES. 



As regards the distance between hives generally, I 

 would say let it be as great as convenience will allow. 

 Want of room makes it necessary sometimes to set thent 

 close ; where such- necessity exists, if the hives were 

 dissimilar in color, some dark, others light, alternately, 

 it would greatly assist the bees in knowing their own 

 hive. But it should be borne in mind, that whenever 

 economy of space dictates less than two feet, there are 

 often bees enough lost by entering the wrong hive, 

 which, if saved, would pay the rent of a small addition 

 to a garden, or bee-yard. I have several other reasons 

 to offer for giving plenty of room between hives, which 

 will be mentioned hereafter. 



SMALL MATTERS. 



The reader who is accustomed to doing things en 

 gigantic principles, will consider this long "yarn" 

 about saving a few bees in spring,' a rather small 



