152 MANUAL or THE APIARY. 



CHAPTER VI. 



POSITION AND ARRANGEMENT OF APIARY. 



As it is desirable to have our apiary grounds so fixed as to 

 give the best results, and as this costs some money and more 

 labor, it should be done once for all. As plan and execution 

 in this direction must needs precede even the purchase of 

 bees, this subject deserves an early consideration. Hence, we 

 will proceed to consider position, arrangement of grounds, 

 and preparation for each individual colony. 



POSITION. 



Of course, it is of first importance that the apiary be near 

 at hand. In city or village this is imperative. In the country 

 or at suburban homes, we have more choice, but close 

 proximity to the house is of much importance. In a city, it 

 may be necessary to follow friend Muth's example, and locate 

 on the house-tops, where, despite the inconvenience, we may 

 achieve success. The lay of the ground is not important,, 

 though if a hill, it should not be very steep. It may slope 

 in any direction, but better any way than toward the north. 



ARRANGEMENT OF GROUNDS. 



Unless sandy, these should be well drained. If a 'grove 

 offers inviting shade, accept it, but trim high to avoid damp. 

 Such a grove could soon be formed of bass-wood and tulip 

 trees, which, as we shall see, are very desirable, as their bloom 

 offers plenteous and most delicious honey. Even Virgil urges 

 shade of palm and olive, also that we screen the bees from 

 winds. Wind-screens are very desirable, especially on the 

 windward side. Such a screen may be formed of a tall board 

 fence, which, if it surrounds the grounds, will also serve to 

 protect against thieves. Yet these are gloomy and forbidding, 

 and will be eschewed by the apiarist who has an eye to 

 aesthetics. Ever-green screens, either of Norway spruce, 

 Austrian or other pine, or arbor vitae, each or all, are not only 

 very effective, but are quickly grown, inexpensive, and add. 



