bee-keeper's manual. 227 



shelf-stand, the hives can be raised three feet without 

 inconvenience. 



■I do not recommend the practice of having a double 

 tier of hives, one above the other, at all. It is bad man- 

 agement. The apiarian has not the facility to attend to 

 them, that he has when but one tier exists ; and besides 

 that, it brings the bees too close. 



In regard to the distance, that hives should beset 

 apart, I would say, that they cannot be placed too 

 far, unless it be beyond the bee-keeper's premises ; but 

 it is necessary to set them near to each other, in order 

 to afford the bees protection from the sun, &c. I think 

 that a single row or tier of hives will not suffer injury 

 by being placed where the space between each hive is 

 about one foot ; provided, that the divisions are put up, 

 before alluded to. Two feet would be better, and four 

 feet better still ; but it is not always convenient to have 

 hives that distance from each other. 



The stool-stand has one advantage on this point. It 

 can be used in an out-door apiary, and the hives sta- 

 tioned a rod apart, if desirable. All that is wanting, in 

 this case, is a flat portable roof for each stool ; say three 

 boards one foot wide, and three feet long, secured to- 

 gether with brackets or cleats. Set one of these pro- 

 tectors on each hive, drawn a little forward of the cen- 

 tre, to produce the more shade. If they will not keep 

 in their position, place a stone on each; but if you 

 would be a little more tasty, you can get iron or lead 

 weights, if any at all are necessary ; which I think quite 

 doubtful. 



