CHAPTER XIX 



RACES OF BEES 



A QUESTION which is often asked by, bee-keepers, 

 especially just after they have left the novice 

 stage, is, Which is the best variety of bee for 

 me to keep?J I invariably answer that a good 

 strain of the common brown bee cannot be beaten, i 



Among honey-bees there are a number of 

 varieties, but, except when kept experimentally, 

 three only are commonly met with in this country. 

 The ones usually seen are Italians, Carniolans, 

 and our own brown bee. From time to time other 

 races have been experimented with, but: none of 

 them have become popular. 



The Italian bee is a brightly coloured insect, 

 with an abdomen marked with distinct yellow 

 bands. In the pure state it is exceptionally quiet, 

 a prolific breeder, and an energetic worker. ..Many 

 people here profess to have great faith in its 

 good qualities, but candidly I have no great love 

 for them personally. They have the good qualities 

 I have spoken of, but they also have other bad 

 ones, and one of these is that they, are not of the 

 slightest use for working on section honey, owing 

 to the peculiar water-soaked appearance of their 



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