Ls 
49 : 
OF THE APIARY, OR PLACE WHERE BEES ARE KEPT: 
In southern climates, the hives ought to be ranged on an © 
eastern exposure. In northern climates, to the south and 
east, and never to the north, and much less to the west. 
_ An apiary ought to be situated in a place somewhat re- 
tired; if possible, on a smooth lawn, overlooking a slope, at — 
the bottom of which a limpid rivulet meanders through 
meadows. The-hives, if not too numerous, and the ground 
will permit, should be ranged in line. But, if the ground 
do not admit of a long line, they may be ranged in two or 
more ranks, by preserving a sufficient distance between 
each line, that the bees may meet no obstacles in their flight 
from the doors of their hives, and that they may rise freely, 
without hitting the boxes of the range in front of their line. 
Though the hives be numerous, it will not be necessary 
to separate them, that is, to make two or more establish- 
ments on the same domain. Bees know, and, occasionally, 
treat each other with respect. When they belong to the 
same apiary, they seldom plunder. 
An apiary always ought to be neat. There should be no 
* plants, nor herbs, touching the hives, on which inimical in- 
“sects can harbour, or secrete themselves, to incommode, or 
prey upon the bees. It is not absolutely necessary, that it 
- should be covered with a roof. It is sufficient, that each 
box be covered with a cap of straw, or an earthen vase in- 
verted, to secure it from rain, or stagnant water. 
Trees, planted round the apiary, are useful to stop the 
swarms as they come off. The pear, the apple, the cherry, 
and the peach trees, produce flowers much sought after by 
the bees, and swarms rarely fail to settle on their branches, 
when they come out of the mother hives. 
‘To give the establishmentan agreeable symmetry, the hives 
should be set about two feet apart, and a vase of flowers, or 
plants in which bees delight, placed in each space, such as 
thyme, savory, basil, and other aromatics. 
The bench or stand ought, if possible, to be made of a sin- 
gle piece of wood, at least two inches thick, and sufficiently 
broad, to receive a box eighteen inches square. It ought 
to be at least six inches longer than itis broad, and to pro- 
ject that difference in front of the hive, as a resting place 
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