Texas Beekeeping. 



33 



WHICH IS THE BEST BEE? 



This interrogatory is propounded more than any other, and it is 

 somewhat difficult to answer all inquirers alike, since individual tastes 

 vary too much. Taking everything into consideration, the Italian bees 

 are better suited to meet the demands of the majority of beekeepers, 

 and that is why they have come to be the most popular and continue to 

 gain in favor. For best results the three-banded variety should be 

 chosen. If beauty in color is preferred, the Goldens fill the demand. 

 If these do not suit, some of the other races may be selected, and it is 

 for this reason that a brief description of each is given. It is advised, 

 however, to select the Italians, as these are the best all-purpose bees. 



BUYING BEES. 



The best time to buy bees is in the spring. If they can not be ob- 

 tained in modern frame hives, which may cost from four to eight 

 dollars, according to the kind of bees and the condition of the colony, 

 bees in box hives will be the cheapest to secure, and transferring 

 them from these into good hives will give enough experience, to pay for 

 the trouble. Common bees in such hives are only worth the value of 

 the bees themselves, the honey and wax in the combs, and the firewood 



A transferring party. Driving the bees into the inverted box placed 

 over the box hive. 



