ITALIAN BEES. 
72 
At the "Wisconsin Bee-keepers’ Convention, in February, 
1866, the following resolution was passed unanimously: 
“Resolved, That the Italian (or Ligurian) bee, fully sustains 
its European reputation, and this association heartily recommend 
it for general cultivation, as being more hardy, vigorous, and 
fertile, and, as a consequence, more profitable.” 
“ Of their superiority there can be no question.” — Dr. Metcalf. 
Dr. Kirtland, of Cleveland, Ohio, says : “ My colonies are 
daily watched and admired by many visitors. So far as my ex- 
perience has gone, I find every statement in regard to their 
superiority sustained. They will no doubt prove a valuable 
acquisition to localities of high altitude, and will be peculiarly 
adapted to the climate of Washington Territory, Oregon, and 
the mountainous regions of California.” 
Mr. Langstroth says : “ If we may judge from the working 
of my colonies, the Italians will fully sustain their European 
reputation. They have gathered more than twice as much honey 
as the swarms of the common bee. This honey has been chiefly 
gathered within the last few weeks, during which time the swarms 
of common bees have increased in weight but very little. The 
season here has been eminently unfavorable for the new swarms 
— one of the worst I ever knew — and the prospect now is, that 
I shall have to feed all of them except the Italians.” 
“The great German apiarian, Mr. Dzierzon, informs us that 
his apiaries, (now consisting of more than six hundred colonies,) 
having been thoroughly Italianized in 1858, produced him. last 
year (1859) more than double the quantity of honey ever ob- 
