21 



Giant-growing Privet {Ligvstrum sineme). 



For permanency and general utility this plant can be thoroughly recom- 

 mended as a shelter-hedge. It is of close upright growth, extremely hardy, 

 and adapts itself well to a wide variety of soils and situations. It is not 

 advisable, however, to employ any of the Ligustrum as hedge-plants too 

 near a garden plot, as their surface roots extend Several yards from the base 

 on either side, and extract all virtue from the soil. This fault can be obviated 

 to a great extent by cutting ditches at a little distance from the plants on 

 either side. Assuming that this space is of no consequence, then the privet 

 may be advantageously employed for shelter purposes. For a single row a 

 width of 3 ft. should be deeply dug, and if the ground be poor a liberal dress- 

 ing of bonedust given. Select strong two- or three-year-old plants, and set 

 out at 18 in. apart along the centre of the prepared ground. To induce a 

 good base it is well to clip the plants fairly hard back at the time of planting ; 

 in following seasons the sides maybe lightly cUpped, and the tops of those 

 unduly high reduced to a general level. With fair treatment four seasons 

 of growth should produce a hedge from 6 ft. to 8 ft. high. As there are 

 many different species of Ligustrum in cultivation, care should be taken to 

 get the best for hedges — that is, the one under notice. 



Where the surrounding country is hilly, the apiary should be situated 

 in the lowest part, if possible, so long as it is not swampy or wet, in order 

 that the bees when coming home loaded will have to fly down instead of 

 upward. 



All large apiaries should be established a good distance from a public 

 thoroughfare, especially from a main road where there is horse traffic, other- 

 wise there are pretty certain to be complaints sooner or later, and everything 

 should be done to avoid giving offence. From 100 to 200 yards from a main 

 road should be ample, but much depends on the locality, and the safe distance 

 can be best judged on the spot. 



WATER. 



Bees require a great deal of water during the breeding season, therefore 

 a small running stream near at hand is a boon ; otherwise water should be 

 provided in troughs, with floats, or filled with pebbles, placed in some shady 

 spot near at hand. 



Unless there is a continual supply of water near at hand the bees are- 

 apt to become a nuisance to neighbours in their search for water by crowding- 

 round horse and cattle troughs, the domestic tanks, and other inconvenient 

 places. 



AREA OF GROUND FOR A BEE-FARM. 



Half an acre will afford ample space for a good-sized apiary and the 

 necessary buildings ; but if renting a site, as many do, it would be as well 

 to rent an acre, so as not to be cramped for room in case of extending opera- 

 tions. A good substantial cattle-proof fence around the site is absolutely 

 necessary. 



