Hi all
Re: races of bees. I honestly doubt whether this term has any meaningful use when applied to the honey bees of the USA, but it once did. This, from 100 years ago, caught my eye

The real case against the Italian bee is Its everlasting robbing and
the connection of this trait with the spread of American foulbrood, both
within the apiary and from yard to yard. During the past seven years
special attention has been given to the three races of bees, observed
side by side in apiaries under special conditions. During that period
disease has been manifest and many colonies have been treated each
year. With the three races present all the diseased colonies were
Italians. In talking extensively with all advocates of the other races
an outstanding feature Is lack of robbing. Just recently note has been
made by Corkins of the same situation ln Wyoming. It was evident that
the dfsease situation was less severe with Herman Rauchfuss, who has
only Caucasian bees. Haven't the virtues of the Italians rather lead
us astray and Into a real difficulty with the spread of disease? Isn't
It worth while now to consider the aid of Carnlolans and Caucasians in
the elimination of American foul brood? A really fair trial of these
races should be made under the severe spring conditions existing 
in this state. -- REPORT OF THE IOWA STATE APIARIST (1924)


PLB



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