120 ITALIAN BEES. 
by swarming on my plan, and securing as many good 
swarms for wintering as possible. I commenced feeding 
early but lightly. The entire cost of feeding the eight 
swarms did not exceed seventy-five cents per swarm, or 
six dollars for all. The first of November I had increased 
them to thirty-three swarms all in good condition to win- 
ter, and had taken from them over three hundred pounds 
of honey in glass boxes. 
I have given in brief my views of the Italian bee, as I 
receive many letters of inquiry in regard to them. I 
base my statement on practical experience. I would 
advise all who wish to procure the Italian bees, to exercise 
great care in selecting them and purchase only of those 
who are known to have pure stocks, for the best is the 
cheapest in the end, no matter if the first cost seems 
high. If the worth of the money is in the bees, the 
higher the price paid, the better you will be satisfied. 
But do not pay even a low price for inferior stock, for 
you will not be satisfied.* 
I will give the results of keeping the pure Italian bees 
on my plan as reported by persons who have purchased 
this variety from me : 
A gentleman in Vermont purchased of me, in the 
spring of 1881, a swarm of Italian bees in a Controllable 
Hive. He commenced feeding early, with the view of 
increasing his stocks by new swarms, preferring an 
*Spring being the best time to start bee-keeping on my plan, I am usually 
able to supply my friends with first-class swarms of Italian bees in spring of 
each year. I send out none but the very best, such as Ican warrant First- 
Class in every respect. 
