244 BEE-KEEPING 



The Caucasians, recently introduced by the United States 

 Department of Agriculture, are the gentlest of all known 

 races, and may be kept on the lawn or in the flower 

 garden and handled at any time without protection and 

 with no fear of stings; they are also diligent workers, 

 and produce honey equal to that of any of the others. 



Among beekeepers who rear queens to sell, the Italian 

 race is the most popular. Many different strains of Italian 

 bees have been developed. Some, having leather-colored 

 bands, or rings, on their abdomens are called leather- 

 colored Italians; others, having abdomens that are all 

 yellow, are called golden Italians. The strain, among bees, 

 is of more importance than the race itself. 



QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES. 



1. How do bees help the farmer? 



2. Trace the growth of a bee from the egg to maturity. 



3. What flowers are good honey-yielders? 



4. Name some races of bees. Which is the gentlest race? 



5. How may bee-keeping be made a profitable business? 



