BEE MANUAL. 99 



CHAPTER V. 



THE APIARY. 



LOCATION. 



Taking into consideration the climate, the native flora, and 

 the results which have heretofore followed the introduction of 

 bee culture, according to the reports furnished to the New 

 Zealand and Australian Bee Journal, in all parts of Austral- 

 asia, I feel safe in saying that there is no part of these colonies 

 which is at all fitted for European settlement, where the culture 

 of bees may not be carried on to a greater or less extent with 

 advantage. But it does not therefore follow that every district 

 is adapted for the working of extensive apiaries. No person 

 should attempt the establishment of a large apiary without first 

 making himself acquainted with the resources of the neighbour- 

 hood, and to do this effectually he must first have a knowledge 

 of the flora which is best suited to his purpose. A careful 

 perusal of the chapter on " Bee Forage " will aid him in that 

 respect, so that it is here only necessary to draw attention to 

 the subject. 



GENERAL ARRANGEMENT. 



The first consideration should be to have the apiary as 

 convenient to the dwelling of the person who is to work it as 

 may be compatible with a due regard to aspect and shelter. If 

 it can be laid out so as to be within view of the dwelling-house, 

 it will be all the better. It should not, however, be so near to 

 a public road, or to a railway, that the ground could possibly 

 be shaken by the passing traffic. Shelter, to protect the hives 

 from the prevailing high winds, is absolutely necessary for the 

 welfare of the inmates. Bees do not thrive nearly so well 

 when their hives are exposed to cold and stormy winds, and 

 especially in early spring, when it is so essential to the bee- 



