THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW 11 



tide in question you return it to me. This article is of a very 

 popular nature and therefore it is not absolutely correct in every 

 respect from a scientist's standpoint. 



Another recent work which gives a very accurate and compre- 

 hensive view of the science of genetics is entitled "^^lendelism," by 

 R. C Punnett, published by ^McMillan & Company, Xew York, price 

 $1.25. Another book, by Dr. ^^'. E. Castle, bearing some such title 

 as '"Inheritance and Its Relation to Animal Breeding," is now in 

 press by D. Appleton & Company. Xew York, and this book. I have 

 no doubt, will set forth the principles of genetics and experimental 

 breeding in as clear a manner as the book of Punnett's. 



If you are interested in work of this character I would suggest 

 that you get these two books and though neither one of them will 

 give you any facts regarding honey bees, they will indicate the gen- 

 eral plans and principles which we must follow, or rather which 

 we may expect to follow if accomplishing anything in the improve- 

 ment of the honey bee. 



I have no doubt that distinct mutations occur in the case of 

 bees as in other animals and plants. I have often wondered whether 

 the first colony of long-tongued red clover bees were not really 

 mutations in which an abnormally long tongue was present. It 

 seems to be the opinion of bee keepers that this strain has largely 

 "run out,' but I believe had the science of genetics been understood 

 at the time the first colony of these was discovered the character 

 could have been fixed and made permanent. 1 see no reason for 

 not believing that mutations in the nature of color may not occur, 

 and if they do occur I am satisfied that it will only take a few gen- 

 erations of breedmg to make these color characteristics permanent. 



Dr. Bonney has taken much pains to get the opinions of authori- 

 ties on this question. Possibly we have been expecting too much in 

 the way of an improved bee. The article will be concluded in the 

 Februarv issue. 



Boiling Honey Used in Queen Cages Not Sufficient. 



A Subscriber's Letter and Editor E. R. Root's Reply. 

 A. E. BURDICK 



-•^Jl X Gleanings for September 1.5th. 1011, E. R. Root advises all 

 ^11 queen-breeders to boil their honey used in their queen mailing 

 cages, and conveys the idea that that is the one essential 

 thing to do in order not to spread foul brood by means of the mail- 

 ing cages, to the purchasers of queens, and further he is willing, in 

 a measure, to vouch for all queen breeders who will take the pre- 

 caution to boil all honey used in their queen mailing cages. 



