ITALIAlfr BEES. 43 



Clorer, has been confirmed by a variety of testimony. 

 This, may, to some extent, account for the reports we 

 hear of their gathering double as much honey as the na- 

 tives in the same locality. If only buckwheat honey were 

 accessible, I should expect the natives to gather the most, 

 as they work much better upon it than do the Italians. 

 It is certain that either they do not maintain the standard 

 claimed in this respect, or else they must take some such 

 advantage as above stated. While I confess to a prefer- 

 ence for the Italians in this regard, our experience will 

 hardly justify the extreme superiority claimed. 



Less Inclined to Rob. — I can hardly imagine how any 

 practical bee-keeper can come to this conclusion. The 

 same characteristics that make them more vigorous in 

 securing stores from other sources, must prompt them to 

 activity, when honey is in any way improperly exposed. 



In regard to their propensity to rob, Mr. Quinby says: 

 " Their industry, activity, and keen scent are remarka- 

 ble, enabling them to find honey where the natives are 

 seldom seen." When feeding rye-flour, it is noticeable 

 that the Italians are first to carry it away with zeal. It 

 this were not true, I should have no faith in the state- 

 ments m regard to their superiority in early increase, etc. 

 If honey in the comb is exposed, they are the first to find 

 it, and if the comb is new and tender, they will appro- 

 priate it, and use it in the construction of their own 

 comb. 



Although I have never practised it largely, I find, by 

 experiment, that wax made from waste pieces of comb, 

 may be utilized by melting it, and stirring thoroughly 

 with honey or syrup as it cools ; this leaves the wax in 

 particles that may be fed for comb-building. As there 

 are occasionally instances when the Italians are busy upon 

 blossoms which the natives do not frequent, and the 

 latter are, from lack of forage, eomparativvly idle, they 

 may from this cause, at timeS: be first a find a weak 



