THE HONEY-BEE. 
157 
in spring while sufficiently provided with honey, hut 
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, 
Pbactical 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 bo 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 
