LETTER FRC%[ DR. KIRTLAND. 387 



the buckwheat, salidagoes, and asters have flowered in this vi- 

 cinity, the nights have been remarkably cold. This low tem- 

 perature has in a great measure suspended the efforts of the 

 common bees, and they have been eating their previously accu- 

 mulated stores. Not so with the Italians ; they have been 

 steadily accumulating honey anc| bee-bread, and rapidly multi- 

 plying their numbers. They seem peculiarly adapted to resist 

 the chilly atmosphere and high winds, which predominate in 

 autumn, on the shores of Lake Erie. 



THIRD. Prolificness they equally excel in. Both my full 

 and half-blooded stocks have become numerous and strong in 

 numbers, as well as in stores, at this late season of the year, 

 when the common kind have ceased increasing, and have be- 

 come nearly passive. 



FOURTH. Their individual strength is greater; and this is 

 well illustrated in their prompt manner of tossing to a great 

 distance any robber that chances to approach their hive. 



FIFTH. Their beauty of color and graceful form, render 

 hem an object of interest to every person of taste. My colo- 

 ies are daily watched and admired by many visitors. 



SIXTH. Of their moral character, I cannot speak favorably, 

 f robbery of weaker colonies is going on, these yellow-jackets 

 ire sure to be on hand. So far as my experience has gone with 

 hem, I find every statement in regard to their superiority sus- 

 ained. 



They will no doubt prove a valuable acquisition to locali- 

 ies of high altitudes ; and will be peculiarly adapted to the 

 limate of Washington Territory, Oregon, and the mountain- 

 >us regions of California. 



J. P. KlRTLAND. 



CLEVELAND, Ohio, Sept. 13th, 1860. 



EXTRACT PROM THE AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 



" We are yet unable to offer any well founded 



