132 
SPRING. 
science is sadly neglected ; a large amount of error is 
mixed up with truth, that patient, scrutinizing inves- 
tigation must separate. 
REMARKS. 
I feel anxious to get to the practical part of this 
work, which I hope will interest some readers who care 
but little about the natural history. I shall begin with 
spring, and will now endeavor to mix more of the 
practical with it, as we proceed to the end of the year. 
In order to illustrate some points of practice, I may 
have occasion to repeat some things already mentioned. 
CHAPTER VII. 
THE APIARY. 
ITS LOCATION. 
In the location of the apiary, one important consid- 
eration is, that it is convenient to watch in the swarm- 
ing season ; that the bees may be seen at any time 
from a door or window, when a swarm rises, without 
the trouble of taking many steps to accomplish it; be- 
cause if much trouble is to be taken, it is too often 
neglected. Also, if possible, the hives should stand 
where the wind will have but little effect, especially 
' from the northwest. If no hills or building offer a 
protection, a close, high board fence should be put up 
for the purpose. It is economy to do it — bees enough 
may be saved to pay the expense. During the first 
spring months, the stocks contain fewer bees than at 
any other season. It is then that a numerous family 
