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_ Bees require water, and, when too far distant, they may 
be supplied by means of shallow vessels, filled with water, 
which can be renewed from time to time. If some cresses 
were put into the vessels, they would grow and flourish. On 
these the bees could find support, going down to the water, 
which they could pump without the least danger; and the 
proprietor could in this manner, procure a very wholesome 
salad, which he could dispose of at pleasure, still leaving 
the roots of the plant growing. 
It has been remarked, that the product of bees was never 
so abundant in covered apiaries, as in open air. 
Mr. Chambon observes, that it is essential that the apiary 
should not be embarrassed by herbs growing as high or 
higher than the stands, because the bees which are loaded 
and fatigued, and those also which are enfeebled with cold, 
are arrested by the herbs, and have a great deal of trouble 
to regain their habitation. If they hit those herbs in passing, 
they fall, and cannot easily recover themselves. 
_ This observation (of Mr. Chambon) is not very correct. 
It would be still better, not to have any herbs in front of 
the hives. It is a retreat for wasps, and other insects, ini- 
mical to bees. It requires a smooth place, often swept, 
and which does not hold the rain water. In front of each 
hive, a little board should be placed, sloping gently towards 
the ground. On this the weary bees could stop to take 
breath, andseasily regain their habitation. 
_ The vicinity of cities, is not favourable for a bee establish- 
ment, on account of the swallows which flock thither in 
spring, and destroy a great many bees. A still worse situa- 
tion is the vicinity of forges and manufactories, which re- 
quire a great deal of fire, and emit a great deal of smoke. 
The open country, and the vicinage of forest trees, are the 
best situations for hives. : 
A southern exposure, in southern countries, if the apiary 
be not covered and shaded by fruit trees, is often dangerous 
to the bees, because the combs may melt, by the excessive 
heat, and the honey flow out: this, however, could be reme- 
died by covering the hives with booths of branches, to secure 
them from the heat. 
In front of the apiary, there may be a plat of thyme, and 
all the other aromatic herbs in which bees delight, on a 
slight elevation, so as not to impede the bees in their move- 
Bi ments. The old bees would rest there on their return from 
the fields, and the young, before risking long voyages, would 
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