Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-05-15
agricultural.
Italian BeeS--AlSike Glover.

MEssRs. EDIToRs We noticed the follow
ing inquiry in your paper few weeks since ::
: Has the Italian bee that came over a few
years ago gone back to her old home? One
thing is certain, she is not now before the
public, with all her virtues. Truth is, bee
husbandry is a precarious pursuit in the old
settled parts of Massachusetts,, &C.. &C.
We can say that the Italian bee still exists
in various places all our country, and
that new importations of them are made year
ly-
The demand for them has been much great
within the past three or four years than
when first introduced. Many were shy about
investing in them. fearing they would prove
no better than the natives. We purchased
some the first season they were brought to
this country, and have been breeding them
for the market ever since, and can say that
our experience not only comedies with
the reports of many of our most practical
bee-keepers, but convinced of the cor
rectness of their high European reputation
They have not only been valuable pecuniari
1y, but many mysteries relative to the habits
of this useful insect have been solved.
The following are some of the principal
points Of difference between the Italian and
natives The queens are more prolific
seuuently, their swarms are usually earlier
and larger they are not so liable to rob- and
they defend themselves against robber bees
more successfully. By their superior strength
they are enabled to protect their combs
against the bee moth more effectually.
The pure Italian bees have much milder
disposition They gather large stores of hon
ey, frequenting flowers which are neglected
by the common bee, such as the second or
seed crop of red clover. We received state
ments from correspondents during the past
season (Which was unfavorable for honey
that their Italian bees had secured a gener-
Gus living, while their natives had stored but
little agriculture need not be considered 20
much more precarious business than many
other pursuits. With all the informa ton
which has been gained in reference to their
nature and habits, together with the nova Bile
comb system of managing bees, the business
is much surer and far more profitable than
formerly. Ii is true that where the country
is old and most of the soil is under cultiva-
ton, large apiaries will not thrive as well az
where the land is newer.
ALsIKE CLOVER.
In such sections we would recommend the
cultivation of Alsike or Swedish clover. which
is rapidly winning its way to public favor.
The following account Is the experience of
the Shaker family. near Albany, y. Y with
this variety of clover
g We find the Alsike clover a very super
ior grass in the following points:
:. |, For Its value as hay crop on Il grea I
variety of soils, being of a growth, in height,
varying according to quality of soil from ten
inches to two and a-half feet, and yielding
from one and a-half to three tons per acre.
according to soil, thus comparing with our
best clovers-
-, For its multitude of sweet flowers.
blooming. perhaps, three or four times as
much as red clover, making, when in bloom,
literally OF flowers.
3, 10 all farmers who keep bees largely
the crop would be of great value. as bees can
work upon the flowers equally as well as up
on white clover, as they are about the same
size and precisely the same habit as the lat
ter, but are much more abundant in honey
Bees appear as fond of the flowers of mig
nonette, and in its season of towering. which
lasts about six weeks, are continually upon
it. from dewy morn until dusky eve.
1t is gratifying to see the progress which
has been made within the past few years re-
lative To the culture of the honey bee 1t is
but a short time since that we could take up n
agricultural paper and find an article treating
upon the honey-bee but now almost every
agricultural Journal has space devoted to
the interests of the apiary and you have
augmented the columns of reading matter in
your paper, we hope the bee keeper will of
ten be reminded that you appreciate his vo-
cation, and that he will find it both interest
ing and instructive-C. B. BiglOr, Perkins
rifle, "