SITUATION OF THE APIJRT. 49 



We have found that our hives which have had strong 

 hay--bands wound round them during the whole winter have 

 wintered the best. This is a simple and cheap covering, 

 besides being within the reach of every bee-farmer. 



SITUATION OF THE APIARY. 



Whether the hive be towards the west or south is a 

 matter of no moment, but the situation is everything ; no 

 care can atone for an error here. 



The hives must above all things be sheltered from the 

 wind. A wall, however high, or a simple hedge, is not 

 sufficient, because the bees that fly to the fields prefer 

 stopping in places where the air is tranquil, near bushes, 

 or along hedges or dells, where they find a much greater 

 abundance of honey than in places exposed to gales of 

 wind. They fatigue themselves flying from flower to 

 flower, and still more returning to their home after having 

 completed their little work. With a rapid flight they get 

 over a great extent of space, frequently against the wind ; 

 but on approaching the hive they slacken their speed and 

 advance, wheeling round and round to find or recognise it. 

 A mistake at this time might be fatal and cost them their 

 lives ; and if at this moment they encounter a strong cur- 

 rent of air, or a whirlwind repels them, they are again 

 forced to wheel round to reconnoitre their habitation. 

 After a hard struggle the most vigorous arrive ; the others 

 fall without power to rise again, especially when the air is 

 cold or the sky clouded. The ground will then be strewn 

 with dead or dying bees, which never happens when the 

 hives are placed in sheltered situations. 



Again, a common belief prevails that hives will not do 

 well unless they stand in the sun. This is an error. Bees 

 lite the shade when working, and like the sun only when 



£ 



