BEE-KEEPER S MANUAL. 233 



attempt in finding her iiome. Bees seem to know no- 

 thing at all of the position of their hive, unless when de- 

 scending on a return from the fields, or in cases when 

 their flight is merely sporting immediately around it. 



For the purpose of affording a check to the force of 

 the winds in out-door apiaries, immediately around the 

 hives, in unsheltered situations, I would recommend a 

 close fence to be placed some short distance from them, 

 on the north and west sides. If any fence be placed on 

 the east side, it should not obstruct the rays of the sun 

 to the most easterly hives. It is advisable to have an 

 open length one foot wide opposite the hives, that may 

 be opened and closed at pleasure. In the spring the 

 whole fence may be closed, and as the heat of summer 

 approaches, the doors or shutters may be thrown open. 

 When a quiet nook already exists, where the force of 

 the wind is partially brokeUj'the hives may be placed 

 there without further trouble. When the hives are 

 placed in a bee-house, no protection from winds is re- 

 quired, except to keep the back closed when the winds 

 are very high, and it is evident that it would be bene- 

 ficial to do so. In case of having an open house, like 

 that described at page 210, some little screen afforded 

 as protection against the winds, such as adjoining high 

 shrubbery, or some fence within ten or fifteen feet, on 

 the north or west side, would be sufficient ; yet without 

 any protection at all, in any case, the bees will thrive 

 and do well ; but it is better to thus afford a little pro- 

 tection from the force of the winds when convenient 

 to do so. 



