15

THE HONEY-BEE IN NEW ZEALAND 13

prevailing winds and yet not blocked up in front by high
trees or buildings, open to the sun in the morning , and
yet so constructed as to screen the hives from its direct
rays at midday, this may be done by an ovdrhanging roof,
which will also keep the drippings of rain from the hives ;
every one may use his taste in the form of his bee-house,
this is of no consequence if the hives be only screened from
the sun and sheltered from the wind ; and yet I think a
shed open in front, so that the air may circulate freely
about the hives and keep away damp, with room enough
for one or more persons to pass along at the back of the
hives, and look into any which may have windows or
glasses on the top, is as good a form as can be ; it is not,
indeed, at all n ecessary to have nay house at first, the
single hive, with which a settleer begins his bee-keeping,
may stand on a stool in some sheltered nook of his garden
within sight of his door, and when not his single hive
alone, but a goodly row of off-shoots is seen in his garden,
when the own er of them finds bee keeping a pleasant and
profitable employment, he may then think of putting up a
permanent shed for his favourites.

It is recommended that the first swarm you get should
come from a distance, even miles away, the farther the
better, as they appear to thrive better than when got from
a neighbour. Having described the bee-house and the
position of the bee-hives, we come now to tell

How to get a Swarm conveyed to a distance

The plan recommended by Mr. Cotton is, get a swarm
from a friend easly in the season, that is in October
or November, in order that your stock may be well