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 extent 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 incessant 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 incurred in watching at swarming time, as well as give greater security from marauders. The hives should be elevated about fifteen inches from the ground, on 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 particularly dangerous; the smell of the syrup is quickly
