ITALIAN BEES, 45 
prominent bee-keeper of Central N. Y., once said to me, 
that their disposition was getting to be a serious matter 
with him, that parties could not pass within several rods 
of his apiary, without being attacked. With many others, 
I shall feel regret, if the adoption of a race of bees, re- 
puted to be exceedingly docile, should result in a hybrid, 
still more ill-tempered than natives. No doubt, as in 
crossing other kinds of stock, this objectionable trait 
may be avoided by a careful course of breeding which 
will fix the desirable qualities of both races and “breed 
out” the others. If fertilization in confinement should 
become practicable, it will be comparatively easy to raise 
as pure stock as may be desired. 
As Box-Honey Workers. — That box-honey usually 
presents a finer appearance when stored by the na- 
tives, I think will be generally conceded. The Italians 
store the cells fuller, and cap them over directly against 
the honey, giving the surface a watery appearance ; while 
the natives leave a little unfilled space which causes the 
capping to appear whiter. The difference is so marked 
that an expert can usually tell, by examining a box of 
honey, by which variety of bees it was stored. While 
this peculiarity of the Italians may affect the appearance 
of box-honey, I conceive that it is an advantage where 
the honey is stored in combs for winter, as this complete 
filling of the cells, entirely excludes every particle of air. 
More Peaceable while being Handled.—That the pure 
Italians are more agreeable to handle, I believe there is no 
room to dispute. The search for a queen, will convince 
the most prejudiced of the truth of this assertion. The 
Italians, both queen and workers,’ will remain quietly 
upon the combs, while the natives will rush in every di- 
rection, and when one succeeds in finding the queen, she 
will often be outside, or under the hive. 
I prefer the Italians, when extracting, yet the fact that 
they cling so closely to the comb, is an inconvenience, as 
