CHAPTER XIX 
RACES OF BEES 
A QUESTION which is often asked by beé-keepers, 
especially just after they have left the novice 
stage, is, Which is the best variety of bee for 
me to keep? I invariably answer that a good 
strain of the common brown bee cannot be beaten. 
Among honey-bees there are a number of 
varieties, but, except when kept experimentally, 
three only are commonly met with in this country. 
The ones usually seen are Italians, Carniolans, 
and our own brown bee. From time to time other 
races have been experimented with, but none of 
them have become popular. ° 
The Italian bee is a brightly coloured insect, 
with an abdomen marked with distinct yellow 
bands. In the pure state it is exceptionally quiet, 
a prolific breeder, and an energetic worker. Many, 
people here profess to have great faith in its 
good qualities, but candidly I have no great love 
for them personally. They have the good qualities 
I have spoken of, but they also have other bad 
ones, and one of these is that they are not of the 
slightest use for working on section honey, owing, 
to the peculiar water-soaked appearance of their 
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