ITALIAN BEES. 47 



particularly bright and yellow, with three distinct bands, 

 which seenas to be coQsidered by many the best test of 

 purity, that in othei respects showed signs of impurity. 



Finally, after candid comparison of the two varieties, 

 I must say that we have obtained the most satisfactory 

 results by keeping both. And this seems to me sufficient 

 proof that neither race monopolizes all the best qualities. 

 It is unquestionable that their relative value will vary in 

 different localities. My advice to all who have not already 

 done so, is to test both sorts for themselves. 



How to Procure Italians. — There are many reliable 

 persons engaged in rearing Italians, from whom good 

 stock may be secured. Full swarms may be purchased, 

 or a single queen may be introduced to a colony of native 

 bees. In twenty-one days after her introduction, if fer- 

 tile, her progeny will begin to appear, and if the change 

 is made in spring, the native bees will usually all disap- 

 pear during the summer. The details of the process ap- 

 pear in the chapter on Queens. 



A queen may be purchased for $3.00, that, in 1860, 

 would have cost $20.00 (the price Mr. Quinby paid for 

 his first queen), and if the investment paid then, as 

 surely was the case, it certainly must do so now. 



To those who assert that they can not perceive any 

 superior qualities in the natives, and that they do not want 

 even one swarm, I say, test both kinds side by side, and 

 compare them carefully. 



But do not buy Italians as some do, with the expecta- 

 tion that they will of themselves insure success, without 

 intelligent care. They are but valuable assistants. Any- 

 thing which stimulates active investigation in bee-keep- 

 ers, brings experience, upon which success must be based. 



Cyprians, Syrians, Carniolans, Etc. — Through the 

 efforts of Messrs. D. A. Jones, Frank Benton, and others, 

 who have spent much time and money in this direction, 

 several varieties of bees, new to. this country, have been 

 introduced, and their value to some extent tested. 



