THE HONEY-BEE. 157 



in spring while sufficiently provided with honey, but 

 disheartened by paucity of numbers. Nevertheless, 

 famine is one of the worst enemies they have to en- 

 counter ; and many hives that are supposed to die of 

 cold, do in fact die of hunger. 



It will be obvious to the reader, that in our enu- 

 meration of the enemies of bees, we have referred 

 exclusively to those which infest the European hive- 

 bee. The various tribes of honey-gathering insects 

 found in tropical regions, have to encounter foes of 

 a still more formidable kind ; and, in treating of 

 foreign bees, we shall have occasion to point out 

 enemies, both amongst the feathered race and amongst 

 quadrupeds, whose ravages far exceed any injuries 

 sustained by our domesticated bee. 



PRACTICAL MANAGEMENT. The Apiary. In the 

 practical management of bees, the formation and due 

 arrangement of the apiary is of some importance. The 

 prime requisites are shelter from the extremes of heat, 

 and cold, and quiet. Facing southwards, the hives 

 should be carefully screened from the north and 

 north-east. A group of young trees, or a close-grow- 

 ing hedge, will answer the purpose well ; or advan- 

 tage may be taken of a range of buildings, or a garden 

 wall. In availing ourselves, however, of the shelter 

 of buildings, care must be taken to keep the hives at 

 such a distance as to be clear of the rain-drops, and 

 from the eddying winds caused by such a locality. A 

 distance of not less than eight or ten feet should in- 

 tervene between them and the screen ; and of this 

 space the half-breadth next the hives should be laid 



