256 THE AMERICAN BEE-KEHPER. December, 



of its neighbors might accept; at least, well adapted to the requirements o 

 until the race has given a better ac- a first-class bonnet bee, because the; 

 count of itself than now stands to will not sting. In a recent number o 

 its credit in this country. When a Gleanings, Bro. Root refers to thl 

 Caucasian queen, for breeding pur- new hobby again, as follows: 

 poses or otherwise, is desired, a breed- "I have just asked our Mr. Me 

 er would hardly forego the wish to Pritchard, who has charge of our bees 

 possess her simply because of the how our imported Caucasians an 

 usual purchase price. doing, and how their temper is, com 



The Caucasian race has now been pared with that of other bees. H' 

 before the American public for more says they are unquestionably thi 

 than twenty years. Some, at least, gentlest bees he ever handled. H> 

 of those who tried them, found them has mauled the hives around in a] 

 to compare favorably with the sting- sorts of shajies in cool weather, am 

 less bees of the tropics in the matter the bees paid no attention to it. H 

 of complete worthlessness. can hardly make them show fight." 



It is twenty years since the writer Now, if people kept bees merely fo 

 had the honor to be introduced to a the pleasure of mauling them around 

 colony of these meekest of the meek stroking their fur and cares-sing them, 

 in all beedom. They were as gentle like a poodle dog, all this would be ai 

 and docile as a sick lamb. Their incentive to put in Caucasians. Bui 

 docility was exceeded only by their as a general rule, they do not. Mos 

 laziness; but nothing could exceed in bee-keepers are like Dr. Miller — the; 

 completeness the perfection of this prefer some honey even if a fe^ 

 latter trait. While supers tiered up stings come with it. However, con 

 from three to six and even eight upon tinning to comment upon- his inter 

 colonies of Italians black and Carnio- view with Mr. Pritchard, Mr. Roo 

 Italian crosses, not a section of sur- says: 



plus could the gentle Caucasian be "But they are unsatisfactory in on 

 induced to store. One of the assis- or two other respects. They do no 

 tants in the apiary used to say that know enough, he says, to take syru] 

 they went to the basswood forests at out of a common feeder in the hive 

 meal-time to eat, but returned with when they are short of stores. H 

 empty honey sacs; and the condition has been trying to make them pu 

 of the colony throughout the season the syrup into combs. But it is th 

 would justify such a belief. old case of leading the horse to wate 



It is obviously true that the fore- that Avouldn't drink." 

 going instance is insufficient to con- If ^Ir. Root's Caucasians are simila 

 demn the race. We find inferior to those with which we have had t^ 

 strains cropping out in any and all t^o, this trait should cause no surprise 

 races; but, in view of the fact that Imagine a Caucasian going afoot up 

 not a single bee-keeper, in all these stains to get something to eat out o 

 years, in all America, who makes the ^ feeder. Hardly. Tty thinning i 

 production of honey anv considerable •i"''*t to the consistency of nectar, Bro 

 busin&ss. has adopted the Caucasian Root, warm it nicely and use a camel'i 

 as his choice, and in view of the fact Ii^"' li»""sh individually. Dip the brusl 

 that very adverse reports have been '"to the warm food and politely offei 

 made in several instances, does the it. We think they could thus be in 

 reader deem it the part of wisdom at 'I"<'<'fl to take sufficient to sustain life 

 this time for our Government to "seed" ^t least. 



the country with Caucasian blood? Mr Root concludes his commeni 

 Even the Cyprians have their admirers thus: "Another thing. If the weathei 

 among honey producers (and heaven is a little cool they will not venturt 

 knows they are bad enough) but let out of the hive until an hour or ar 

 us hear from one or two Caucasian hour and a half after the other bees 

 admirers, with certified reports of are out in the air. This may or may 

 their honey crops. We're listening, not be a desirable trait in chillj 

 Hark! weather. At all events, Mr. Pritchard 



Editor Root has for some time had thinks the bees are too good-natured 

 a Caucasian in his bonnet. They are to be good for anything, and that this 



