374 THE BEEKEEPERS' REVIEW 



they light or dark bands, but should appear alike in markings and 

 must all show distinctly narrow rings of fine hair of light color, 

 over the back part of their bodies. Also should show no dark 

 streaks or spots in the yellow bands — uniformity in appearance, 

 and markings, being one of the main tests of purity. 



Bees that will stand the above test, are pure Italians, the pro- 

 geny of a pure queen, mated to a pure drone, and there is (in my 

 estimation) no need in wearing a bee hat or veil in handling these 

 bees. If of the dark or leather colored stock, I believe they have 

 not been beaten in honey gathering. 



I believe the above directions for testing the Italian bees are 

 about the same as given to me by Mr. Frank Benton away back in 

 the seventies, and its use has enabled me to see any signs of impur- 

 ities in Italian bees. Mr. Benton has without a doubt had a larger 

 experience with the Italians as well as other races of bees in their 

 native lands, than any other man in our ranks. 



I should be pleased to know what he thinks about the Italians 

 as to purity of the race. 



Honey Day 



GEORGE W. WILLIAMS, Redkey, Indiana. 



We dedicate certain days to the celebration of past events of 

 noteworthy character, and others to the cultivation and promotion 

 of great Social, Religious, Economic and Patriotic ideals. 



We have Christmas day to inspire us spiritually. Decoration 

 day and the Fourth of July to renew our patriotism. Labor Day 

 and Arbor day on which to pause and consider things material. 



Then w^e have Thanksgiving, which we all most seriously ob- 

 serve in a happy, genial, semi-religious, wholly epicurean man- 

 ner and give tribute to the bounteous dispenser of all our blessings, 

 both spiritual and temporal. 



Along with these praiseworthy occasions of rejoicing and giv- 

 ing of tribute, it is eminently fitting that we pause and devote a 

 moment to the consideration of one modest little factor which 

 goes far to make our country what it is and our people what they 

 are and to devote to the modest honeybee a little share in the 

 thank-offerings of word and viand to be offered on the fourth 

 Thursday of next November. 



We have Christmas day to inspire us spiritually. Decoration 

 ovv-e her. We are indebted to her untiring labor for the apple, 

 pear, peach and all the kindred fruits. The clovers and the legumes 



