THE HUMBLE BEE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2329, 24 June 1886, Page 2

THE HUMBLE BEE.

MrJ. iB. Armstrong, writing to the Canterbury Times, Bays Some time ago there ; was much rejoicing among the members of the Acclimatisation Society, owing to the eminently successful introduction ofjthe humble bee. It has frequentlybeenasserted that the introduction of this bee was necessary to the fertilisation of the red clover, and that its acclimatisation would therefore benefit the farmer. That the humble bee helps in the fertilisation of the red clover nobody will attempt to deny; but as no farmer could expect to save and clean red olover seed here at a paying price, it is difficult to soe what real benefit the farming community can possibly derive fjMi the introduction of this bee. Howffir, we have now got the humble bee, una a great nuisance it is evidently going to be, or rather has already become, to beekeepers. Although only eighteen months have elapsed since its introduction ink) this district, the insect has increasod in such a remarkable way, that during the past > autumn it appeared in immense numbers, and about Cbristchurch thera wero far more humble bees to be seen than hivo bees, The consequence is, that during the protacted drought when" honey ™ scarce, the hive bees wero deprived} (j. great portion of the honey which dft otherwise have been obtainable, fln owing to this a great many hives'/ entered upon the winter with Bhort stocks, or have had to be fed (an expensive process in this Colony). The introduction of the Jiumble. bee has, therefore, proved a seriouß nuisance to bee-keepeis, and as most farmers keep bees, to the agricultural community gene* rally. Ido not wish to attach any blame to the Acclimitisation Society, but simply wish to draw attention tq' the fact that it is dangerous to'disturb the'balance of nature. Just as wo have had to introduce stoats to keep down raUrifo, we shall now have to introduce sotSFinsect that feed on humble bees'; As the Society introduced these bees, it is now their duty to bring out their natural enemies, whatever these may be. If the bees are not kept within reasonable bounds they are likely to prove'anything but a blessing.—Yourß, &c.