lj$ ENEMIES. 



crown of the hackel, and eat their way 

 through the top of the hive, to the ruin of 

 the flock. Infpe&ion fhould be taken to 

 prevent it -, and traps fet to catch the mice. 

 A good cat r bred in the garden, would de- 

 vour them. The doors of the hives fhould 

 be made too low for a moufe to enter, but 

 at lead three inches wide* 



The wax-moth is but little noticed, or even 

 fufpe&ed of being,, as it is, a very dangerous 

 enemy, deflroying many flocks in a con- 

 cealed manner. The mother moth lays her 

 eggs about the fkirts of the hive, if fhe can- 

 not elude the vigilance of the- bees, to lay 

 them in the infide. She fpins a elofe and 

 flrong web to defend the young,, who bur- 

 row in the floors,, and progreffively con- 

 fume the combs, to the total deflruclion of 

 the bees. 



Old straw hives, oi-decayed floors, 

 are very favourable to their depredations. 

 Frequent fhifting the hives,.' and cleaning 

 the floors, will prevent the evil ; and will- 

 guard againft other diminutive enemies, as 

 ear-wigs, wood-lice, and ants. The nefts 

 of thefe mould be deflroyed j or platters of 



honey 



