44 ITALIAN BEES. 
swarm and rob it, thus furnishing plausible evidence in 
favor of the better habits of the Italians. 
Defend Themselves Better.—Here I apply the same 
test of determination and vigor, and endorse the superi- 
ority claimed for them in this particular. I have fre- 
quently observed them, as they alighted near the entrance 
of a hive of natives, and in almost every instance escaped, 
after being seized by those belonging there, and I have 
as often seen the reverse occur, when the natives trespass~ 
ed upon the premises of the Italians. When detected, 
they were seized, and in nearly every case stung to death, 
The Italians seem to be more constantly on the watch, 
and more swift to discern the approach of an enemy. 
I find that a much smaller swarm of Italians than of 
natives, may be expected to defend themselves success- 
fully. 
Less Inclined to Sting.—The past record of this variety 
of the honey-bee, represents them as being much more 
docile, and manifesting far less inclination to sting. This, 
no doubt, arose from the fact that they had not been so 
harshly treated as our natives. Our experience confirms 
the statement, that if an Italian queen is reared from 
pure stock, and the swarm handled as gently as it should 
be, from the outset, they will be found pleasant to man- 
age, and less disposed to sting; but if smoked with 
tobacco, and roughly treated, the energy displayed in 
other directions is here manifested, and the result will 
be a larger number of stings, and a worse effect than 
from the natives. ‘ 
As we shall endeavor to show, beneficial results have 
followed the introduction of Italian bees into our country, 
yet we must notice their unfavorable qualities as well as 
their merits, 
Hybrids.—It is undeniable that a cross between the 
Italians and natives is usually very irascible, such bees 
often volunteering an attack when unmolested. A 
