54 



Advanced Bee Culture 



Let this be as it may, a colony can be kept the coolest in a thin-wall 

 hive in the shade. How do zve keep cool in hot weather ? We wear thin 

 clothing, and lie in the hammock in the shade. A colony of bees is a 

 living, heat-producing body, and can be kept cool in the same manner 

 that we keep our bodies cool, viz., let its clothing (hive) be thin, with 

 a free circulation of air upon all sides, above and below, and then 

 protect it from the sun's rays. 



The color of the hives has a great bearing upon the necessity for 

 shade. Black, or a dark color, absorbs heat, while it is reflected or 

 repelled by white. I have seen the combs melt down in an old weather- 

 beaten hive that stood in the sun, but I never sa.\\ them melt in hives 

 painted white, even if standing in the sun. 



There is still another point that has a bearing upon the question 

 under discussion, and that is the circulation of air about the hives. I 

 have read of combs melting down in hives standing in shade so dense 

 that the sun never shone upon them. The trouble was that growing 

 corn on one side and dense brush upon the other made it so close that 

 no air circulated. 



Shade is not needed in the spring, fall, morning, or evening. The 

 only time it is needed, if it is needed, is the middle of our hottest days; 

 and some temporary, quickly adjustable, easily removable shade is pref- 

 erable to an attempt to furnish a permanent shade b\' growing ever- 

 greens, grapevines, and the like. In fact, a permanent shade, like that 

 furnished by an evergreen, is an injury in spring, robbing the bees of 

 the benefit to be derived from the heat of the sun. In fact, I know of 

 nothing better than a light board, 2x3 feet in size, laid upon the top of 

 the hive. One of the longest edges of the board is placed parallel and 

 even with the north edge of the top of the hive, the opposite edge of the 

 board projecting beyond the hive. This shades the hive when shade is 

 needed, and only when it is needed — in the middle of the day. In a windy 

 situation it may be necessary to lay a brick or stone upon this board 

 to keep it in place. Don't imagine that hooks or something of that kind 

 will be preferable for holding the shade-boards in place. A weight is the 

 simplest, cheapest, and most convenient. I make these shade-boards 

 by nailing the thick ends of shingles to a piece of inch board four inches 

 wide and two feet long. They cost only five cents each, and, in the fall, 

 they can be tacked together, forming packing-boxes in which to pack 

 the bees for wintering. 



For the comfort of the apiarist, it is well to have a few scattering 

 trees in the apiary ; but let their branches be trimmed to such a height that 

 they will not be knocking off his hat or gouging out his eyes. 



Pei-haps this whole matter of shade might be summed up some- 

 thing as follows : If the apiary is located where the cool breezes can 



