1884.] BEES. 63 



Mr. Jeffries. Yes, sir ; I cannot positively prove that, 

 because I have no way of tracing the black bee. We can 

 take the Italians into a locality where there is nothing but the 

 black bee, but we cannot take black bees into a locality where 

 there are only Italians. 



Question. Does Mr. Jeffries recommend crossing the 

 Italian with the common bee ? 



Mr. Jeffries. No, sir ; I do not. 



Question. Would you prefer the Italian over the common 

 bee ? 



Mr. Jeffries. Yes, sir. 



Question. Why ? 



Mr. Jeffries. Because I am convinced, from what I have 

 seen of them since 1872, that they are far stronger honey 

 gatherers and more gentle to handle. They are more prolific 

 and stronger of flight. On an average, three good, strong 

 Italian hives will give as large a yield as five hives of the ordi 

 nary bee. That is about where they have stood in a great 

 many trials. 



Question. Is the result of a cross between the Italian and 

 the native more good natured than the Italian itself ? 



Mr. Jeffries. No, sir ; they are more vicious, as a rule. 



Question. Are they more vicious than the common bee ? 



Mr. Jeffries. YeSy sir. 



Question. Can you tell, in one word, how to prevent the 

 moth miller — that is the greatest foe that we experience ? 



Mr. Jeffries. Yes ; keep good, strong stocks, use a 

 moveable comb hive, and what harm the moth miller does you 

 will never know. 



Question. Can you get an Italian stock of bees by putting 

 Italians into a hive of common bees ? 



Mr. Jeffries. Yes, sir ; every time. 



Question. How long will it take ? 



Mr. Jeffries. About forty-five days in the height of the 

 honey season. 



