BEE MANUAL. 31 



find that they have dared to 'beard the lion in his den.' This is so 

 patent, that even the advocates of black bees are ready to concede it. 



" 5. They are almost proof against the ravages of the bee moth's 

 larva. This is almost universally conceded. 



" 6. The queens are decidedly more prolific. This is probably in 

 part due to the greater and more constant activity of the workers. 

 This is observable at all seasons, but more especially when building 

 up in the spring. No one who will take the pains to note the increase 

 of brood will long remain in doubt on this point. 



" 7. They are less apt to breed in winter, when it is desirable to have 

 the bees very quiet. This refers to cold climates. 



" 8. The queen is more readily found, which is a great advantage. 

 In jthe various manipulations of the apiary, it is frequently found 

 desirable to find the queen. In full colonies, I would rather find three 

 Italian queens than one black one. Where time is money this becomes 

 a matter of much importance. 



"9. The bees are more disposed to adhere to the comb while being 

 handled, which some might regard as a doubtful compliment, though 

 I consider it a desirable quality. 



"10. They are, in my judgment, less liable to rob other bees. They 

 will find honey when the blacks gather none, and the time for robbing 

 is when there is no gathering. This may explain the above peculiarity. 



"11. And, in my estimation, a sufficient ground for preference, did 

 it stand alone, the Italian bees axe far more amiable. Years ago I got 

 rid of my black bees because they were so cross. Two years ago I got 

 two or three colonies, that my students might see the difference, but 

 to my regret ; for, as we removed the honey in the autumn, they 

 seemed perfectly furious, like demons seeking whom they might 

 devour, and this, too, despite the smoker, while the far more numerous 

 Italians were safely handled without smoke. The experiment at least 

 satisfied a large class of students as to superiority. Mr. Quinby speaks 

 in his book of their being cross, and Captain Hetherington tells me 

 that if not much handled they are more cross than the blacks. From 

 my own experience I cannot understand this. Hybrids are even more 

 cross than the pure blacks, but otherwise are nearly as desirable as 

 the pure Italians. I have kept these two races side by side for years, 

 I have studied them most carefully, and I feel sure that none of the 

 above eleven points of excellence is too strongly stated." 



Having now had over four years' experience of Italian bees, 

 I can fully endorse nearly all that Professor Cook says of them, 

 though I am not convinced as regards his third point. I have 

 often seen black bees out in the morning, when not an Italian 

 was stirring ; a,t other times they were about equal in this 

 respect. Neither can I admit that black bees never work on red 

 clover, as I have frequently myself of late seen them do so. 

 And although it is quite true, and a decided advantage, that 

 Italians and hybrids defend their hives better than black bees 



