38 HANDY BOOK OF BEES. 



their hives, without hoisting them aloft on ugly single 

 posts. 



Hives should he placed as far asunder as convenience 

 permits. When we come to the chapter on artificial 

 swarming, it will he seen that 6 feet distance hetween 

 stock-hives is little enough. Many reasons could be 

 given in favour of some distance being left between hive 

 and hive. 



But where many hives are kept, would you place them 

 aU over the garden ? No, if economy of space and com- 

 pactness of appearance are objects aimed at. Besides, it 

 is possible to place a great number of hives within small 

 compass, and be free from all danger of mistaken visits, or 

 molestation of any kind, from the bees belonging to each. 

 Many of our hives are removed, in spring, to cottage and 

 market gardens in the country. We pay rent for a small 

 space, and make it answer well. The following represen- 

 tation will show the reader how ten hives can be safely 

 placed on a spot not much larger than a dining-room 

 table. 



Here every hive is separate from the rest, and so placed 

 that there can be no mistakes made by the bees as to 

 their own hives ; but there is not room between them to 

 hold a swarm from each hive without risk. 



As there is a peculiar smeU in each hive of bees, which 



