292 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATrON. [Ch. VI, 



§ II. POSITION OF HIVES, 



Some writers on bee-culture attach much importance 

 to the particular position in which an apiary stands and 

 the aspect towards which it faces. A southern, or rather 

 a south-eastern aspect, is the one which we recommend. 

 Our reason for this preference is that we deem it very im- 

 portant for the bees to have the first of the morning sun. 

 Bees are early risers, and should have every inducement 

 given them for the maintenance of so excellent a practice. 

 A few years since, many strong opinions were ex- 

 pressed in favour of a northern aspect for hives. The 

 chief reason given for those opinions, though very 

 plausible, appears to us to be a very partial and in- 

 adequate one. It was said that, when the hives face 

 the south, the bees may, like the incautious swallow in 

 the fable, be tempted to fly abroad in the transient 

 winter sunshine, and then perish in the freezing atmos- 

 phere when a passing cloud intervenes. But it is a 

 very easy matter, if considered needful, to screen the 

 entrance by fixing up matting so as to intercept the rays 

 of the sun. At our own apiary we make no alteration 

 in winter, under the belief that the bees will take care of 

 themselves and that they seldom venture out when the 

 weather is unsuitable. 



Columella gave a number of directions on this point, 

 the essence of which may be stated as follows. If in a 

 valley it will be easier for the loaded bees to return 



