776 PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD ENTOMOLOGICAL MEETING 



in introducing and establishing in this country the Italian Bee or a 

 bee of similar quahty. Of the indigenous bees, the domesticable Indian 

 Bee is a poor honey-gatherer, is extremely prone to swarming and is 

 unable to protect its hive against the Wax-moth. When the Wax- 

 moth infests a hive, the combs are eaten by the caterpillars and the 

 bees are compelled to run away. The honey-gathering quality of the 

 Italian Bee has already been referred to above and it has been found 

 by actual experiments at Pusa to be able to resist the Wax-moth. To 

 import each colony of the Italian Bee costs about Rs. 100. Importa- 

 tion of colonies on a large scale by intending bee-keepers will therefore 

 not be possible and is not desirable unless through an agency which 

 can check the introduction of diseases. Arrangements have to be made 

 so that colonies may be available at a small cost, say Rs. 10 or 15. For 

 this purpose an apiary with imported colonies should be established in a 

 Suitable locality. The colonies can be multiphed and the new colonies 

 which are obtained can be sold to the public. Numerous inquiries 

 are received from the public regarding bee-keeping. If a good honey- 

 gathering bee like the Italian bee can be rendered available in India 

 at a small cost, bee-keeping is expected to make very rapid progress. 



In advanced countries various attempts are made to popularize 

 bee-keeping, by teaching apiculture in Agricultural schools and colleges, 

 by distributing popular leaflets, by sending out itinerant lecturers, by 

 holding apicultural shows and through journals and papers devoted to 

 the subject of bee-keeping. In order to contend successfully against 

 bee-diseases (none of which is at present noticeable in India) there are 

 in most countries State agencies backed by acts and regulations. In 

 AustraHa, in order to provide an outlet for the large quantities of honey 

 produced there. Government has instituted a Co-operative Union in 

 which farmers have shares. 



To make a beginning in bee-keeping in this country some persons 

 from different parts may be asked to keep a few colonies after giving 

 them a preliminary instruction at the apiary. Such men will always 

 be forthcoming. They will pay for their appliances as well as for the 

 bees. In this manner the knowledge of modern bee-keeping can be 

 spread without any Government agency. 



A small apiary of the kind suggested here was established at Pusa 

 with Italian Bees and worked from 1910 to 1913. At no period of this 

 experiment were more than three colonies available for work and as it 

 was intended first of all to test the yield of honey, there were not sufficient 

 opportunities for multiplying the colonies. As explained above, new 

 colonies can be formed out of existing ones by separating a number of 

 workers with a new fertilized queen. Such a newly-formed small colony 



