158 
APIARIES. 
with fine gravel, to absorb the moisture, and keep it 
free from weeds, grass, straws, &c. The space of 
ground between and in front of the hives, to the ex- 
tent of at least three feet, should be covered in the 
same manner. 
Quiet is essentially necessary to their doing well. 
Bees do not thrive in the near neighbourhood of in- 
cessant noise. The apiary, therefore, should be at a 
distance from smithies, mills, steam-engines, &c., and 
also from such manufactories as emit noisome smells. 
When circumstances will admit of it, the apiary should 
be placed in view from the windows of the family 
sitting-room. This will save much of the trouble in- 
curred in watching at swarming time, as well as give 
greater security from marauders. The hives should 
be elevated about fifteen inches from the ground, ou 
a single post or pedestal, in preference to three or 
four, which is the usual number. Vermin are thus 
prevented by the projecting edge of the floor-board 
from climbing over and reaching the entrance. It 
may be laid down as a good rule to have the hives 
placed as far from one another as the extent of the 
apiary will admit. When standing at intervals of 
only two or three feet, the bees are very apt to quarrel 
amongst themselves. They sometimes mistake their 
own proper domiciles when too much crowded 
together, especially when hurrying homewards in the 
working season, or hastening to escape a shower, and 
the mistake is attended with fatal consequences. In 
feeding a weak hive, a close neighbourhood is parti- 
cularly dangerous ; the smell of the syrup is quickly 
