58 



THE AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER. 



March 



kept at a minimum, and hives form a 

 large portion of the outlay. Appear- 

 ances, nowadays certainly, go a long 

 way, and a neat, well-kept apiary, is al- 

 ways attractive and instructive. Were 

 it not for this fact, any hive made of 

 four pieces of rough unplaned wood, 

 holding the given number of frames 

 with a stand of some sort, and well 

 wrapped to keep it warm and dry, 

 would yield as good results as the 

 most elaborate and expensive hive in 

 existance. Bringing down bee-keep- 

 ing into more business-like shape, such 

 makeshift arrangements as above 

 mentioned are unnaudy, and most ex- 

 perienced hands will now say that the 

 best form of a hive is one consisting 

 of a plain outer shell, sufficiently large 

 to hold the brood-box of frames with 

 at least 12 in, to 16 in. of supering 

 space above. Every part interchange- 

 able and alike, divisable for cleaning 

 purposes, and easy to handle. In oth- 

 er words, simplicity, interchangeabili- 

 ty, and cheapness are the main essen- 

 tials of successful bee-keeping. Pre- 

 pared wood can be got so cheaply now- 

 adays, that anyone handy with tools 

 can, at a cost of a very few shillings, 

 during the dull season of the year, fit 

 up his own hives. Frames and sec- 

 tions can be bought ready made and 

 accurately cut by machinery much 

 cheaper than with any hand labor. 

 Glenluce, N. B. 



(From the Review). 



APIS DORSATA AND OTHER BEES. 



J. E. CBANE. 



I notice occasional references in 

 bee- journals to Apis Dorsata; whether 

 it is likely to prove of value or other- 

 wise, and a few thoughts in reference 



to it may not be out of place at this 

 time. As is known. Apis Dorsata is a 

 native bee of Southern Asia and adja- 

 cent islands, is much larger than our 

 domesticated bees and builds its combs 

 upon the underside of the branches of 

 tall trees. Apis Testacea seems to be 

 a variety or closely allied species to 

 Apis Dorsata whose home is among 

 the islands of Malaysia or the Indian 

 archipelago and in most respects quite 

 like Apis Dorsata. Both varieties are 

 described as somewhat ferocious and 

 their stings very severe ; although I 

 believe Mr. Benton was able to subdue 

 them readily. 



The outlook is, not to say the least, 

 very hopeful, but when we remember 

 their superior size and active habits, 

 their ability to gather honey and build 

 comb, I for one have a lingering de- 

 sire to possess them. 



Because this bee has not been do- 

 mesticated does not prove it incapable 

 of domestication. 



The yellow bees of Italy, known to 

 Virgil and Aristotle, have but recent- 

 ly been disseminated over the earth. 

 Because Apis Dorsata is a native of 

 the tropics does not prove its unfitness 

 for the more temperate regions of the 

 earth. While it is true that most ani- 

 mals, birds, and plants are not adapt- 

 ed to a wide range of climate there are 

 many notable exceptions. Naturalists 

 are not agreed as to whether our do- 

 mestic fowls come from one or more 

 original species, but all unite in the 

 opinion that all the various breeds 

 came originally from southern Asia. 

 The silkworm is also traced to the 

 same locality. 



We are told that our humble or 

 (bumble) bees are found as far south 

 as the equator, and one of our arctic 



