in spring while sufficiently provided with honey, but disheartened by paucity of numbers. Nevertheless, famine is one of the worst enemies they have to encounter; 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 enumeration 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-growing hedge, will answer the purpose well; or advantage 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 intervene between them and the screen; and of this space the half-breadth next the hives should be laid
