48 SOURCES OF HONEY. 



The Cyprians have some marked characteristics. They 

 have been quite thoroughly tested, but do not grow in 

 favor with the majority. They are far too irritable to be 

 agreeable to handle. Some consider them superior honey- 

 gatherers. I have given them quite a thorough trial, and 

 the only point I could find in their favor, was a tendency 

 to breed late in the fall, which is desirable as affording a 

 good force of young bees when going into winter quarters. 

 I have not tested the Syrians. Mr. Benton pronounces 

 them among the very best. The Carniolans are said to 

 possess some very desirable qualities, and a cross between 

 them and the Italians has a good reputation. Much has 

 been said of the Holy Land or Palestine bees, but my own 

 experience does notcorroborate all that is claimed for them. 



Mr. Julius Hoffman received an importation of Cau- 

 casian bees in 1880. He has experimented quite exten- 

 sively with them, and is of the opinion that they are 

 superior in many respects. In fact, I have never heard 

 more desirable points claimed for any one variety than 

 Mr. Hoffman claims for these. He is one of our most 

 practical bee-keepers, and his conclusions should be 

 received with confidence. Much credit is due those who 

 have been so persevering in securing to us these new 

 varieties. The ultimate results must be of great good, 

 as the future crossing of these different strains will no 

 doubt give us one with a combination of superior traits. 



CHAPTEK III 



SOUECES OF HONEY. 



In speaking of the sources from which most of our 

 honey is obtained, I am naturally limited, in a great de- 

 gree, to the consideration of the honey-producing plants 

 of our northern latitude. Even within a limited area. 



