THE LIGURIAN BEE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2051, 20 September 1880, Page 4

THE LIGURIAN BEE.

TO TUB BDIXOB OP THB PBESB. Sib, — I notion in this morning's paper a letter quoted from a Dunedin paper (“Otago Daily I'imeV’ September 16th), re Ligurian bees (signed “E 8 ”) but you omitted to insert the editor’s remarks thereon, viz.:—“The Amerieiirs have taken great pains to introduce the Ligurian boo, and have found it a success. We fancy the Americans know very well what they are about.” In the “ Otago Daily Times” of September ITth, there appears the following reply : “ Sir, —In tins morning’s issue of your paper appors a letter signed 1 E B, ’ deploring the action ot the Acclimatisation Society in introducing the Ligurian bee. On your correspondent's own confession he knows nothing about them further than that twenty years ago they were introduced to Australia by the then President of the Acclimatisation Society ; that a voluminous correspondence was the result, which correspondence went to prove that the Ligurian bee was a nuisance to ouch an extent that it exterminated the common bhok bee. Sir, facts will speak for themselves. Knowing that the Ligurian bee had been introduced to Melbourne in 1862, by the gentleman referred to above, I wrote to the secretary of the Acclimatisation Society, Melbourne, asking them to sell me a hive ot the imported bee. I was informed that the bee, as far as the Acclimatisation Society waa concerned, was not in existence, it having become to all appearances extinct. The gentleman kindly promised to look about for a hive for me, but he could not give me any hope of getting them. This was at the beginning of this year, and hearing no more of the matter, I have taken steps to have two hives of pure imported Ligurian bees sent out from England, from the same firm who sent them to Melbourne, and who were also the first that imported the Ligurian bee into England. That the ‘ stranger' has not exterminated the common bee in Australia, at all events, is certain from the above ; in fact, one might assume the reverse to bo the case. Should my shipment of bees land safely, I hope to be able to prove to 1 E. B.’ so far from the importation becoming a scourge, it will prove a positive gain in many respects; and in the meantime your correspondent may rest at ease —his fears are wholly groundless. In 1843 the Ligurian bee was first introduced into Germany from Like Ooroo, 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 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 its superiority over the other kind. In its purity the Ligurian bee simply beats the black bee hollow. The quean 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. 8o far from the stranger exterminating the old race, 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 and 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. Much more and explicit evidence could be forthcoming, were it not that your space is too valuable for long explanations. In conclusion, I would suggest to our beekeepers here to follow the example ot the Christchurch apiarians, and form a Beemasters’ Association, for mutual instruction in bee-keeping on a scientific basis. Hoping for your indulgence, I am, &s., F. G. Naumank. “South Dunedin, September 16th.” Such, Mr Editor, is Mr Neumann's reply to “E. 8.,” a reply sensible, temperate, and which I feel sure will be endorsed by every bee-keeper in Hew Zealand who has had any experience with Ligurian bees. The Acclimatisation Society may have made one or two mistakes (Humanum est erraro), but their importations of fish and bees deserve the highest praise and gratitude of the people of New Zealand. The superiority of the Ligurian to the common bee is too well known in England and America to require comment, and is vouched f r here by Dr. Irving, of Christchurch, E"v. G. Wilks, Ferry road, and Mr Broadley, Kuiapoi. Tours, &c., Febd. Adams, Hon. Sec. Canterbury Bee-keepers' Association,