LIGURIAN BEES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1506, 25 September 1880, Page 7

LIGURIAN BEES.

Mr F. G. Naumann wites as follows in reference to the Ligurian bees : — In 1843 the Ligurian bee was first introduced into Germany from Lake Como, and in July, 1859, it was imported to England from Germany. Since then it has found its way to America, where it (like every other improvement) has been appreciated, as it ought to be, on account of the many superior good qualities it possesses over our common black pet. That the Ligurian bee has from 1859 till now not only been able to hold her own, but is much preferred to the common bee by 90 per cent, of the beekeepers in Europe and America, should be sufficient proof of ita superiority over the other kind. In its purity the Ligurian bee simply beats the black bee hollow. The queen is more prolific, the workers more diligent, and not quite so vicious as our black bee ; and lastly, but not least, has a far prettier appearance. In saying so much, I speak partly from experience, but principally from facts gathered from eminent beekeepers both in England and Germany during a recent visit to Europe. So far from the stranger exterminating the old race, (a charge recently brought against it in Dunedin) the beekeepers find the greatest difficulty in keeping the race pure, because the stranger mixes too readily with our own bee. In consequence of this, an immense number of fertilised Ligurian queen bees are annually exported from Italy to various countries in Europe aud to America — to such an extent that queen-rearing in Italy has of late years become an important and flourishing industry, a pure queen in England at the beginning of the season costing £1 Is. I would suggest to our beekeepers here to follow the example of the Christchurch apiarians, and form a Beemasters' Association, for mutual instruction in beekeeping on a scientific basis. Hoping for your indulgence, '