DESIRABLE TRAITS IN BREEDING STOCK 25 



Desirable Traits in Breeding Stock. 



No queen should be used as a breeder unless she is pro- 

 lific, since this is of the first importance in determining the 

 amount of honey stored. However, it is not always the most 

 prolific colonies which store the most honey. Longevity of 

 the bees is an important consideration, and quite possibly the 

 difference in length of the tongues of the workers may have an 

 important influence. It often happens that in a poor season 

 a single colony will store a good crop, when others equally 

 strong will get but little, or even require to be fed. The author 

 had one such colony which made a remarkable showing for three 

 successive seasons. The difference in production was so marked 

 that most of the young queens reared were from this queen. 

 A measurement of the length of the tongues of her workers 

 showed that they possessed a slightly longer tongue than others 

 in the apiary, or even other apiaries where measurements were 

 made in comparison. Increased length of the tongues of the 

 workers would place much nectar within their reach, which 

 would otherwise be denied them. It is well worth while to 

 have careful measurements of tongues of all colonies which 

 make unusual showing, under adverse conditions. 



In general, the breeder selects queens for breeding from 

 colonies which store the most surplus, with little enquiry as 

 to the particular reason therefor. Since honey is the principal 

 desideratum of the beekeeper, he is not so much concerned in 

 the reason why a special colony stores more, as he is in finding 

 the particular colony. 



Next to production, gentleness is a most important char- 

 acteristic. It is very disagreeable to have bees that meet one 

 half way to begin the day's work, and follow one about constant- 

 ly. The fear of stings is the principal objection to beekeeping 

 on the part of many people. While stings can largely be pre- 

 vented by suitable protection in the way of veils and gloves, 

 it is far better to select gentle stocks for breeding purposes. 

 Where only the gentle colonies are selected for breeding stock, 

 it is possible to very largely reduce the annoyance of stinging. 



