Abstract

When our first Indian beehive, coroplete with bees was deuvered to us in February, I must say that at first sight of the hive I was very distrioninded. It hardly seemed to be bigger than an English punleus box, although I was very pleased with the neat finish of the hive itself. Now that I have got to know a little about Indian bees I realize the unormous advantage they have over the larger hives used in Britain. The size of the frames to is liny in comparison with the ones I have been used to work with (Langstroth-17 in. length and 9 in. depth). As for the Indian bee itself (Apis indien), I think now that they compare very favourably in all aspects with their italian and German cousins, who work in a much more favourable climate with hardly an enemy beyond an occastonal hornet or wasp. When I consider the enemies of Apis indics, 1 olten wonder how they manage to thrive the way they do.

Keywords: