i suspect every race of bees will get some votes. let me chime in with a good experience of my own: i usually get italians. a coupla years ago i got a box of Starlines (which i believe is a variety of italians). they are the most gentle and productive bees i've ever had. i suspect that soon now the queen will be superceded and i'll be back to italians. requeening is apparently not a simpler matter (i've never done it--the descriptions and possible pitfalls imtimidate me--i have too many problems with overwintering kills to want to add the complications of requeening). a box of italians i got last spring, on the other hand, was the most cranky bunch of bugs i've had the displeasure of owning. i hope their second year is more pleasant. gentility is, of course, only one factor to consider--overwintering ability, spring build-up, tendency to propolize, disease resistance, and productivity are more important in my opinion. if the AHB ever gets established in the north, you'll laugh about difference in temperament between itialians and, say, caucasians.