182 MANUAL or THE APIARY. 



robbers. Eobbers that attempt to plunder Italians of their 

 hard-earned stores soon find that they have " dared to beard 

 the lion in his den." This is so patent, that even the advo- 

 cates of black bees are ready to concede it. 



Fifth. They are almost proof against the ravages of the 

 bee-moth's larvae. This is also universally conceded. 



Sixth. The queens are decidedly more prolific. This is 

 probably in part due to the greater and more constant activity 

 of the neuters. This is observable at all seasons, but more 

 especially when building up in the spring. No one who will 

 take the pains to note the increase of brood will long remain 

 in doubt on this point. 



Seventh. They are less apt to breed in winter, when it is 

 desirable to have the bees very quiet. 



Eighth. The queen is more readily found, which is a great 

 advantage. In the various manipulations of the apiary, it is 

 frequently desirable to find the queen. In full colonies I 

 would rather find three Italian queens than one black one. 

 Where time is money, this becomes a matter of much im- 

 portance. 



Ninth. The bees are more disposed to adhere to the comb 

 while being handled, which some might regard a doubtful 

 compliment, though I consider it a desirable quality. 



Tenth. They are, in my judgment, less liable to rob other 

 bees. They will find honey when the blacks gather none, and 

 the time for robbing is when there is no gathering. This may 

 explain the above peculiarity. 



Eleventh. And, in my estimation, a sufficient ground for pref- 

 erence, did it stand alone, the Italian bees axe far more amiable. 

 Tears ago I got rid of my black bees, because they wer^ so 

 cross. Two years ago I got two or three colonies, that my 

 students might see the difference, but to my regret ; for, as we 

 removed the honey in the autumn, they seemed perfectly 

 furious, like demops, seeking whom they might devour, and 

 this, too, despite the smoker, while the far more numerous 

 Italians were safely handled, even without smoke. The 

 experiment at least satisfied a large class of students as to 

 superiority. Mr. Quinby speaks in his book of their being 

 cross, and Captain Hetherington tells me, that if not much 

 handled, they are more cross than the blacks. From my own 



