14 ITMJAS BEE KEEPING. 



CHAPTER III. 



GEMEBAL MAMAGEMEMT 



Situation foe Hites. 



The aitnation of a Iu¥e ehonld te determined before the bees are 

 pnt into it. I have already suggested as a site the flat top of any 

 low wall in a garden or oonrtyard ; but it would of course be much 

 better to arrange a regular stand by taking any long plank, if it 

 be at least a foot wide and liin. thick, and, having built np two 

 brick pedestals about one foot high, and a little less far apart than 

 the length o£ board, let the plank rest on them. 



On this stand many frames may be placed, arranged in a row, or 

 even three or four rows one above the other; but if the weight is 

 increased, the foundations must be also, and the plank must be a 

 sound one. 



I have never found inconvenience arising from several hives being 

 placed upon the same board, nor have I found that it encourages 

 pilfering, although I have ten hives, each containing twenty frames, 

 piled one hive on another, upon one thick plank only 6ft. 6in. long. 

 I have also seen hives with frames placed as close one to another 

 in the apiary of Don Giotto TJlivi. 



It is most desirable that frames be arranged in a row, and not 

 story upon story, as it is then easy to operate upon one hive without 

 disturbing the whole. 



If more than one hive be placed on the same stand, after allowing 

 ample room for frames to be added as wanted, a, small space must 

 always be kept clear between the end of one hive and the beginning 

 of another. 



To AVOID BEING StUNG. 



To avoid being stung, it is necessary for most people who keep 

 bees to use a veil, and a pair of very thick knitted wool gloves. I am 

 aware that experienced bee keepers can take honey from these hives 

 without any protection against the bees, and, by acting very gently 

 and patiently, anybody can do without a bee dress ; but, for begin- 

 ners especially, a bee dress gives confidence, and enables them to 

 attend to their work without noticing the bees, who are then unable 

 to hurt them. 



