PRACTICAL BEEKEEPING 41 
is aimed at; or if queen rearing is to receive the main emphasis, it 
would be well to look up the bees of the locality and determine 
whether they would interfere with securing pure matings. The 
tuatter of bee diseases, while important in some states, is not at all 
to be feared in this state. It is- well for the beginner to start 
modestly, with only one or two, or at the most, three or four hives, 
until a knowledge of the handling of bees is acquired. A few 
colonies will keep one quite busy learning, and if mistakes are made 
they.are not of serious import financially. After one has learned the 
management of a small apiary it can be readily increased or added 
to until the number desired is reached. One person devoting all 
of his time, with proper facilities, can easily care for from one 
hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty colonies. With the 
latter number help at certain seasons of the year might be needed. 
In general a southern or southeastern exposure, on a gentle 
slope, is the best location for the colonies. A wind brake on the 
‘north and the west, in the nature of a building, high board fence or 
hedge, is an added. advantage. A,.grass plot is good if the grass be 
kept cut, particularly in front of the hives, so that the bees are not 
hindered in their flight. The colonies should be placed several 
inches off the ground, on bricks or stones, or blocks of wood. The 
hives should stand level from side to side, but may slant a little to 
‘tthe front toward the entrance, to shed the water from the entrance. 
It is much more convenient if the hives be placed five or six feet 
apart, so that they can be easily worked without interfering with 
the adjoining colonies. They may be placed in rows _ breaking 
joints with each other and all facing in the same direction; or, as 
some do, they may.be placed every two rows facing each other, giv- 
ing an aisle or passage way through at the backs of the colonies. 
lf quite a number of colonies are to be kept they should not Le 
separated too much, as this entails too much lost labor and time 
in getting about and carrying honey laden combs. For this same 
reason the apiary should be placed as close as convenient to the 
room or building designed for use as a shop and honey house. 
Such a room, though not necessary for a few colonies, is a very 
desirable thing to have if available. 
Having selected the site, the moving of the bees may be con- 
sidered here. It may be that the frames in the hive will need wedg- 
ing preparatory to being moved to prevent the combs from shifting 
. 
