THE ITALIAN BEE 13 



as a hundred. They defend their stores readily against robbers, 

 and are strong and swift on the wing. 



These bees are native to the Island of Cyprus, and were 

 first introduced into this country from Europe. The first 

 direct importation was probably that by D. A. Jones of Ontario, 

 in 1880. It is not probable that pure stock can now be found 

 in this country. It is thought that some strains of the golden 

 Italians have been mixed with Cyprians in developing the bright 

 yellow color. 



The Holy-Land Bees, or Syrians. 



The Holy-land bees are very similar to the Cyprians in 

 appearance, having the golden shield on the thorax, but they 

 show whiter fuzz rings than either Cyprians or Italians. They 

 were introduced into this country by D. A. Jones at the same 

 time as the Cyprians. These bees are native to Palestine, and 

 are said to be common in the vicinity of Bethlehem, Jerusalem 

 and other Bible cities. While they attracted much attention for 

 a short time following their introduction, they were shortly 

 abandoned and are no longer offered for sale in America, as far 

 as the writer can ascertain. They are said to swarm excessively 

 and to winter poorly, as well as to propolize badly. 



THE ALBINOS, formerly popular, are probably of Holy- 

 land origin, mixed with Italian, according to Root. The Albino 

 resembles the Italian in appearance except that the fuzz rings 

 on the abdomen are bright grey or white. Root reports them 

 as decidedly inferior as honey gatherers. 



The Italian Bee. 



The Italian bee is by far the most popular race in America. 

 It has been tried under all kinds of conditions in all parts of the 

 country with satisfactory results. It is resistant to wax moth 

 and European foulbrood, a good honey gatherer and gentler 

 than the black race which preceded it. 



This race was first introduced into this country from Italy. 



