154 THE BEE-KEEPER’S MANUAL. 
venient, particularly at swarming time. Nothing high 
enough to obstruct the direct flight of the bees should 
be allowed immediately in front of the hives; but a 
few low plants are rather useful as resting-places, for 
bees, from fat'gue, often fall to the ground just on 
reaching home, especially in an evening, and numbers 
in consequence fall a prey to cold, and various 
enemies. Many lives may be saved by spreading out 
a cloth or mat in front of a hive when this is 
observed. Shrubs or bushes, at no great distance, are 
convenient in the swarming season for the bees to 
alight upon; and often prevent a longer flight, or 
collecting on high trees or other objects. 
As regards aspect for bees, many and conflicting 
have been the recommendations according as they 
have been influenced by locality and climate. So 
many circumstances have to be taken into account, 
that it is hard to lay down any rule of universal 
application, and colonies have been known to prosper 
in all positions, from due south to north. We know 
that it has been sometimes advised to turn the hives 
from the sun in winter, and to screen them from its 
direct rays in summer: this has led to an opinion 
that a permanent north aspect is the best; and 
often it is so. Still local considerations must have 
their weight, and we are to look to these as regards 
shelter from cutting winds; the more necessary 
where no sun reaches the front of the hives. A 
north aspect need not necessarily be an exposed one 
in winter; nor at other times one wholly unin- 
fluenced by the effects of the sun. We have recom- 
mended doors at the back of a bee-house, by opening 
