PRACTICAL BEEKEEPING 23 



called, are small and black in color. They are very excitable and 

 cross, attacking passers-by at some distance from the colonies. 

 They are very difficult and unsatisfactory to handle because of their 

 tendency to run from the combs and drop off in great bunches, mak- 

 ing it very difficult to find their queen. They are great propolizers 

 and so stick everything fast, and hence are very hard to manipulate. 

 They do not cluster in winter very well and are slow to build up in 

 the spring. They are, however, fair honey producers, capping their 

 honey very evenly, with nice white caps. They are more prone to 

 rob than other bees, and at the least slackening in the honey harvest, 

 will stop brood rearing. 



Italian bees were first imported in 1860 and since then have be- 

 come quite generally distributed. The American type, through a 

 long process of selection, has changed to a golden yellow, often with 

 five full bands somewhat in contrast to the leathery natives of Italy, 

 These bees are larger than the blacks and much gentler, remaining 1 

 quietly on the combs when opened. They do not exhibit those per- 

 nicious traits of the black bee, of flying out and attacking one on 

 approaching the colony. The queens are more prolific, still the 

 colonies after the long winter months are inclined to dwindle and 

 not build up rapidly. This poor wintering may be due somewhat to 

 the fact that Italy has a mild winter climate and early spring, and 

 the bees have become accustomed to this environment and find it 

 hard to adjust themselves to our rigorous northern climate. 



Cyprians were the next kind introduced, being brought over '"ti 

 1880. These bees are of a light yellow color, very active and make 

 a good showing by their active movements as they fly in the sun- 

 light in front of their hives. They are somewhat smaller than the 

 Italians and have more pointed bodies, and their distinguishing 

 mark is a bright yellow shield or half moon on the thorax, between 

 the hind wings. The Cyprians are very prolific and winter well. 

 They are most excellent honey gatherers, having the longest tongues 

 of any honey bees, yet they fill their honey cells so full before cap- 

 ping that a watery appearance is given the combs, and so are not 

 the best bees for the production of comb honey. They remain on 

 the combs like Italians, yet can be very easily shaken like the 

 blacks. They do not habitually attack passers-by, yet when once 

 aroused, are liable to remain angry for a larger time. They are very 

 excitable and resent jarring or the letting of light into their hives 



