154 MANUAL OF THE APIART. 



eighteen inches with three galvanized wires, the last one being 

 at the top of the posts. Thus we can have shade and grapes, 

 and can see for ourselves that bees do not injure grapes. If 

 preferred, we may use evergreens for this purpose, which can 

 be kept low, and trimmed square and close on the north. 

 These can be got at once, and are superior in that they furnish 

 ample shade at all seasons. Norway spruce is the best. 

 These should be at least six feet apart. A. I. Root's idea of 

 having the vines of each succeeding row divide the spaces of 

 the previous row, in quincunx order, is very good ; though I 

 should prefer the rows in this case to be four, instead of three 

 feet apart, especially with ever-greens. Until protecting shade 

 can be thus permanently secured, boards should be arranged 

 for temporary protection. Many apiarists economize by using 

 fruit trees for this purpose, which, from their spreading tops, 

 answer very well. 



Mr. A. I. Root's idea of having sawdust under and about 

 the hives is, I think, a good one. The hives of the Michigan 

 Agricultural College (Fig. 53) are protected by evergreens, 

 trimmed close on the north side. A space four feet by six, 

 north of the shrubs, was then dug out to a depth of four 

 inches, and filled with sawdust (Fig. 53,/"), underlying which 

 were old bricks, so that nothing would grow up through the 

 sawdust. The sawdust thus extends one foot back, or west 

 of the hive, three feet north, and the same distance to the 

 east or front side of the hive. This makes it neat about 

 the hive, and largely removes the danger of losing the queen 

 in handling the bees ; as should she fall outside the hive, the 

 sharp-sighted apiarist would be very likely indeed to see her. 



Mr. J. H. Nellis, the able Secretary of the North-Eastern 

 Bee-Keepers' Association, objects to sawdust, as he thinks it 

 rots too quickly, and blows about badly. He would use sand 

 or gravel instead. I have tried both gravel and sawdust, and 

 prefer the latter, as explained above. By having the sawdust 

 a little below the general surface, and adding a little once in 

 four or five years, it keeps all nice and agreeable. After the 

 evergreens are well started, all the space between the saw- 

 dust areas should be in grass, and kept neatly mown. This 

 takes but a little time, and makes the apiary always pleasant 

 and inviting. 



