From Cook's Manual of the Apiary, 1882:

In 1843 Von Baldenstein procured a colony of these [Italian] bees
which he had previously observed as peculiar while stationed as a
military captain in Italy. He published his experience in 1848 which
was read by Dzierzon who became interested and through him the Italian
became generally introduced into Germany. In 1859 six years after
Dzierzon's first importation the Italian variety was introduced into
England by Neighbour. The same year Messrs Wagner and Colvin imported
the Italians from Dzierzon's apiary into America and in 1860 Mr S.P.
Parsons brought the first colonies that were direct from Italy.

I have kept both blacks and Italians side by side and carefully
observed and noted results during eight years of my experience. I have
carefully collected data as to increase of brood rapidity, of storing,
early and late habits in the day and season, kinds of flowers visited,
amiability etc and I believe that to say that they are not superior to
black bees is like saying that a Duchess among short horns is in no
wise superior to the lean bony kine of Texas or that our Essex and
Berkshire swine are no whit better than the cadaverous lank breeds
with infinite noses that happily are now so rare among us. The
Italians are far superior to the German bees in many respects and more
though I am acquainted with all the works on apiculture printed in our
language and have an extensive acquaintance with the leading apiarists
of our country from Maine to California yet I know of scarcely a
baker's dozen that have had opportunity to form a correct.

The Italians certainly possess the following points of superiority

First. They possess longer tongues and so can gather from flowers
which are useless to the black bee.

Second. They are more active and with the same opportunities will
collect a good deal more honey. This is a matter of observation which
I have tested over and over again. Yet I will give the figures of
another. Mr Doolittle secured from two colonies 309 Ibs and 301 Ibs
respectively of box honey during the past season.

Third. They work earlier and later. This is not only true of the day
but of the season. On cool days in spring I have seen the dandelions
swarming with Italians while not a black bee was to be seen. On May
7th 1877 I walked less than one half a mile and counted sixty eight
bees gathering from dandelions yet only two were black bees.

Fourth. They are far better to protect their hives against robbers.
Robbers that attempt to plunder Italians of their hard earned stores
soon find that they have dared to beard the lion in his den. This is
so patent that even the advocates of black bees are ready to concede
it.

Fifth. They are almost proof against the ravages of the bee moth's
larvae. This is also universally conceded.

Sixth. The queens are decidedly more prolific. especially when
building up in the spring No one who will take the pains to note the
increase of brood will long remain in doubt on this point.

Seventh. They are less apt to breed in winter when it is desirable to
have the bees very quiet.

Eighth. The queen is more readily found which is a great advantage. In
the various manipulations of the apiary it is frequently desirable to
find the queen In full colonies I would rather find three Italian
queens than one black one. Where time is money this becomes a matter
of much importance.

Ninth. The bees are more disposed to adhere to the comb while being
handled which some might regard a doubtful compliment though I
consider it a desirable quality.

Tenth. They are in my judgment less liable to rob other bees. They
will find honey when the blacks gather none and the time for robbing
is when there is no gathering.

Eleventh. And in my estimation a sufficient ground for preference did
it stand alone the Italian bees are far more amiable. Years ago I got
rid of my black bees because they were so cross. Two years ago I got
two or three colonies that my students might see the difference but to
my regret for as we removed the honey in the autumn they seemed
perfectly furious like demons seeking whom they might devour and this
too despite the smoker while the far more numerous Italians were
safely handled even without smoke.

******************************************************
* Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at:          *
* http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm  *
******************************************************