gradually became less diligent, till when the buck-wheat came into blossom, they were surpassed in industry by many colonies of the common bees. But, as young bees continued to make their appearance he felt satisfied that the colony was in a healthy condition. Later in the season, he unfastened the hive, preparatory to putting it into winter quarters; and on attempting to lift it, found he was scarcely able to move it. He now discovered why it had so greatly fallen behind the other colonies in industry. Having early rid itself of drones (as probably is done instintively in Italy), it had, in consequence of its extraordinary activity, filled all the cells with honey, in a very short time, and was thenceforward doomed to involuntary idleness. It had attained a weight which scarcely any of his colonies reached in the Summer of 1846, when pastarage was so superabundant; whereas, the Summer of 1853 was a very ordinary one in this respect.*
* "The general diffusion of this species of bee," says Dzierono, 'will form as marked an era in the bee-culture of Germany, as did the introduction of my improved hives.\(\dagger\) The profit derived by the farmer from feeding stoek, depends not alone on due attention to the habits and wants of the animals, but mainly on the character of the breed itself. So also with the boe. We find marked differences in point of industry, even among our common bees; but the Italian bee surpasses these in every respect. A chief difficulty in the way of a more general attention to be-culture, arises from the almost universal dread of the sting of this insect. Many fear even the momentary pain which it inflietis, though no other unpleasant consequences follow; but in some persons it causes severe and long-protracted swelling and inflammation. This, expecially, deters ladies from engaging in this pursuit. All this can be avoided by the introduction of the Italian bee, which is by no means an iraselible insect.* It will sting only when it happens to be injured, when it is intentionally annoyed, or when it is attacked by robbing bees; then it will defend itself with undaunted courage, and such are its extraordinary vigor aud agility, that it is never overpowered, so long as the colony is in a normal condition. Colonies of common bees may speedily be converted into Italian stocks, by simply removing the queen from each, and, after the lapse of two or three days, or as soon as the workers decidedly manifest consciousness of the deprivation, supplying them with an Italian queen. We are thereby also enabled to note the gradual disappearance of the old race, as it becomes supplanted by the new. Besides the inereased profit thus derivable from bee-culture, this species also furnishes us with no small gratification, in studying the nature, habits, and economy of the insect to greater advantage, because, by means of it, the most interesting experiments, investigations, and obeverations may be instituted, and thus the remaining doubts and difficulties be cleared up.* \({}^{ii}\) He further says : \({}^{i}\) It has been questioned, even by experienced and expert Apiarians, whether the Italian race can be preserved in its purity, in countries where the common kind prevail. There need be no uneasiness on this score. Their preservation could be accomplished, even if natural swarming had to be relied on, because they swarm earlier in the season than the common kind,and also more frequently. Captain Baldeenstein's want of success was most probably the result of a deficiency of drone-comb(r) in his Italian hives, as a consequence of which, only few drones were produced.2