CHAPTER XVII, 



ITALIAN BEES. 



Italian Queen. Italian Worker. Italian Drone. 



jHE Italian bee is a native of the Alps, and 

 was first imported to this country about the 

 year i860. The Italian being a native of 

 mountainous regions and a high latitude, they were 

 reported to be extremely hardy and vigorous. 

 Those who were first to obtain them, were unani- 

 mous in their praise of the Italian bee, and fully 

 agreed that it was superior to our native or black 

 bee in very many respects. The good reputation 

 which preceded the introduction of the bee to this 

 country, by time and experience in their care, has 

 been fully vindicated. 



The pure Italian bees are superior to the natives 

 in the following characteristics : They are more 

 hardy and vigorous, withstanding our severe win- 

 ters, with ordinary care, better than the natives ; 



