ITALIAN BEES. 47 
Select such cards as contain nearly equal quantities of 
brood. Place them in an empty hive with such bees as 
adhere to them, and leave them to hatch. This should 
be done when honey is being gathered. If a queen should 
be reared, she should be removed before depositing any 
eggs. These bees being so nearly of an age, may be 
watched as they waste away, and there being no queen to 
rear more, it may soon be decided which disappear most 
rapidly. Our experience proves the Italians to be much 
longer lived. 
Parasites.—I am convinced that the Italians have 
brought to us several varieties of parasites of the honey- 
bee, which are to prove a great annoyance in certain re- 
spects. Iam also inclined to the belief that by the intro- 
duction of these parasites, one of the greatest hindrances 
to prosperous bee-culture has been removed, concerning 
which, more is said in another chapter. 
Color not an Absolute Test of Purity.—As a rule, all 
other things being equal, the brightest colored queens 
and drones are to be preferred. Nevertheless, I have had 
some very fine Italian queens that were quite dark-color- 
ed, and I am confident that the very best workers I ever 
saw, were pure Italian, and yet of a brownish color, with 
no very distinct bands. I have also had those that were 
particularly bright and yellow, with three distinct bands, 
which seems to be considered by many the best test of 
purity, that in other 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 go, is to test both sorts for themselves. 
How to Procure Italians.—There are many reliable 
persons engaged in rearing Italians, from whom good 
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