Transferring is by no means so formidable an operation as at first appears. I have transferred a very large number of swarms from the old box hives, without any protection for hands or face, and now the bees seldom show any disposition to sting. Yet I would advise beginners to protect themselves, until by practice they become familiar with the work. "Practice makes perfect" is an old and true saying, and it applies to all operations with bees, I assure you. In my first attempts at this work I thought I must be protected, and I would not for the world proceed without a protector, and that of the most invulnerable kind. Now, having had much practice, I feel no necessity for any covering whatever. I trust I have made my method of transferring perfectly plain, so that every one who wishes may avail themselves of its advantages. CHAPTER XVII. ITALIAN BEES. THE Italian Bee is a native of the Alps, and was first imported to this country about the year 1860. The Italian being a native of mountainous regions and a high latitude, they were reported to be extremely hardy and vigorous. Those who were first to obtain them, were unanimous in their praise of the Italian bee, and fully agreed that it was superior to our native or black bee in very many respects. The good reputation which preceded the introduction of the bee to this country, by time and experience in their care, has been fully vindicated. The pure Italian bees are superior to the natives in the following characteristics: They are more hardy and vigorous, withstanding our severe winters, with ordinary care, better than the natives; they are more industrious than the native bee, being very active in storing honey in cool, windy, or cloudy weather, such as keeps the native bees quiet in the hives.