bee-keeper's manual. 231 



DANGER or HIVES BLOWING OVER. 



In out-door apiaries, there is some danger of hives 

 being blov^n over, during the prevalence of very high 

 winds, unless secured in some manner. If the hives are 

 set against a close fence, there is no danger from winds, 

 unless it be a hurricane ; yet I do not approve of placing 

 them against fences or buildings at all, for reasons be- 

 fore given, in regard to allowing the air to circulate 

 freely around them, and keeping them free from insects. 

 It is always best, in cases of out-door apiaries, to fully 

 secure the hives in some way, against any possible con- 

 tingency. A thunder-storm in summer often brings 

 winds that level trees, fences, and even houses with the 

 ground. On that account, the lower the hives are 

 placed the better ; but nearer than one foot to the ground ■ 

 will not answer at all, and the higher the better, so far 

 as the bees are concerned ; but no height will prevent 

 the moth-miller from entering. What fastening or se- 

 curity for hives is best to prevent them from being 

 blown over, I hardly know, but a stake driven firmly 

 into the ground, against the back of each, and a leather 

 strap or cord running around the lower section, and 

 secured to the stake would be effectual. The super, if 

 the hive be on the plan of that shown at page 153, will 

 not be blown off, if doweled in; and even if it were not 

 doweled, it would not blow off, as the bees always ce- 

 ment down supers with propolis, so as to require a con- 

 siderable force to separate them from the main hives. 



The cheapest way of holding down hives, is to place 



