16 



Honey-producing Hedge-plants. 



Common Privet. — A good hardy hedge-plant that blooms white 

 from the middle of November onwards. The scent from this plant 

 is so strong that some object to it close to dwelHngs. 



Escallonia pterocladon. — The best of this kind for hedge-planting. 

 It makes quick growth and blooms freely. A valuable honey-plant, 

 forming a useful and ornamental hedge. 



Escallonia macrantha. — Blooms bright - red flowers. A valuable 

 honey-plant, and forms a good hedge. 



Escallonia rubra, Escallonia exoniesis, and Escallonia montevidensis 

 may also be mentioned. The last named has large spikes of white 

 blooms, and is useful as an ornamental hedge-plant. 



Black-wattle (Acacia decurrens). — A fast-growing tree, excellent 

 for general shelter, but not suitable for hedge-planting. Valuable in 

 supplying pollen for bees. 



Berheris Darwinii. — Makes a good evergreen hedge for small gardens. 

 Requires clipping twice annually. 



Sallow Willow. — Forms a strong hedge and is very valuable to 

 bees. Blooms about the time fruit-trees are in blossom. 



Acacia lopantha. — A good honey- jdelder in winter. 



Tagasaste. — As previously mentioned. 



Area of Ground for a Bee-farm. 

 Half an acre will afford space for a good-sized apiary and the 

 necessary buildings ; but if renting a site, as many do, it would be 

 as well to rent an acre, so as not to be cramped for room in case of 

 extending operations. A good substantial cattle-proof fence around 

 the site should be provided. 



Water. 



In the spring months, when brood-rearing is at its height, bees 

 require a good supply of clean water in the apiary. If this is not pro- 

 vided they are apt to become a source of annoyance at drinking-troughs 

 and by congregating round the domestic supplies. Brood requires 

 a great deal of water in addition to pollen and honey. The amount 

 depends largely on how much is going on and to what extent nectar 

 is being gathered in the fields. If water is not close at hand many 

 bees are lost in trying to obtain it, more especially as the weather is 

 often changeable and boisterous in the spring. Water should be 

 provided in troughs with floats or filled with pebbles, and placed in a 

 shady spot near at hand; or, where water is laid on, a long board 

 covered with sacking sloping from the top to the ground, allowing the 

 water to drip on this sufficient to keep it damp, may be adopted. 



Laying out an Apiary. 

 The site for the hives should be as level as possible, for convenience 

 of taking appliances and combs to and fro. It should be laid down in 

 grass, which should be kept closely cut, especially near the hives. The 

 best arrangement of the hives in every respect is in straight rows, with 

 entrances facing the north or north-east. Occasionally there' is a 

 departure from this form of arrangement, some preferring to place 

 their hives in clusters of three or more, with their entrances in 

 different directions. This is sometimes advisable where queens are 



