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 fthe 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. 
“‘1]1. And, in my estimation, a sufficient ground for preference, did 
it stand alone, the Italian bees are far more amiable. Years ago I got 
rid of my black bees because they were so cross. Two years agol 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; at 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 
