300 PRODUCTIVE FARMING 



required to build new combs and much of their time is saved 

 for honey-making. 



There are very few bee-keepers who make this the only 

 source of their income. It is usually combined with other 

 lines of farming. Bees are kept in both city and country. 

 The flowers, or bee-pastures, from which bees secure their 

 nectar, must not be too far from the hives of the bees. Bees 

 frequently go two or three miles in search of nectar, but their 

 main supply should be much nearer. 



Breeds. — The wild honey bees are of the black or German 

 variety, brought by early settlers to this country. This breed 

 is also kept by a few farmers. The chief objection to bees 

 of this breed is that they are very cross and easily excited. 

 A'number of other breeds have been brought to America. 



Italian bees are now much more in use than any other 

 breed. These bees are easily managed, and are good defend- 

 ers of their hives. They are good honey gatherers. Italian 

 bees are easily recognized by the three yellow bands across 

 the body behind the wings. They are more difficult to 

 keep over winter than some of the other kinds. Hybrid 

 bees are commonly found in American bee yards. Many 

 of these have been formed by Itahan bees crossing with 

 other breeds. 



Cyprian bees are the best honey gatherers, but they have 

 bad tempers and their management is difficult. 



Carniolan bees are very quiet. They are the largest of 

 all our breeds of bees, and have great wing power. As honey 

 gatherers they are among the best. They multiply in the 

 hives quite rapidly and much time is spent in swarming to 

 divide the colony. 



Caucasian bees are very gentle, good workers, and defend 

 their hives well. They swarm rather too often if kept in 

 small hives. 



Syrian bees are much like the Cyprians in temper, and 

 they are not as thrifty workers. 



