40 AUSTRALASIAN BEE MANUAL 



tion of the ground may afford some convenience in this 

 respect. When there is a choice, select a low-lying spot 

 so long as the drainage is good and the ground dry, so 

 that the bees when flying home laden will have easier 

 work. Such a situation can be more readily sheltered. 

 When shelter must be grown, select plants that make 

 a durable hedge, and that will bear cutting back well, 

 so that it can be kept, say, about eight feet high. This 

 is high enough to shelter a large apiary, and not too 

 high to take swarms from. Giant privet (Ligustrum 

 sinense) is the best plant I know for the purpose, and 

 can be thoroughly recommended. When planted in two 

 rows three feet apart and eighteen inches apart in the 

 rows, and the soil about them kept stirred now and 

 again, and clear of weeds for a couple of seasons, a 

 real good shelter fence may be obtained in about four 

 seasons. A temporary shelter fence may be erected in 

 the meantime of brushwood while the other is growing. 

 Tagasaste (Cytisus proliferous) grows very rapidly, 

 and will form decent shelter in two seasons, but in the 

 Auckland district it does not last more than from four 

 to five years when cut back. It is a good plant to grow, 

 as it affords excellent bee forage in winter and early 

 spring. The seeds are sown where the plants are to 

 grow, as they do not transplant well. The seeds 

 require steeping in hot water before sowing, and should 

 be sown immediately after, three feet apart. Do not 

 plant tall growing trees near the apiary to give swarms 

 an opportunity of settling out of reach. Both the above 

 hedges should be protected from cattle of all kinds. 



Good clean water near the apiary, easily accessible 

 to the bees, is a great boon where there are many 

 colonies. A great deal of water is required right 

 through the breeding season. A clear, running, shallow 

 stream affords the best watering place, but in the 

 absence of a natural supply, water should be provided 

 in shallow water-tight troughs filled with pebbles, 

 placed under shade near at hand, taking care to keep 



