60 BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



insects can lie on the thorax or central part of the honey-bee. 

 There is only a space about as large as a very small pea for 

 them to cluster on. They are not noticed by the naked eye, 

 and, being of the louse family, will deposit their eggs on the 

 hairs of the body. They are traveling through several parts 

 of the State, and I have found, by talking with gentlemen 

 this afternoon, that there is evidence of their presence a short 

 distance below us here in the Naugatuck valley. It will take 

 but a short time, with the distance that beeis travel on the 

 wing, to carry these parasites through the State, and the 

 rapidity with which they breed will in a short time scatter 

 them through all the apiaries. There are quite a number of 

 people in this State who are making a business of apiculture, 

 and it stands to reason that they should make some move to 

 find out to what extent these parasites are now working. 

 That was the reason why I called on Mr. Gold to see if there 

 could not be a discussion at this meeting in regard to the 

 parasites and foul brood. I brought some of the specimens 

 with me, and a sample of foul brood, and if anybody is inter- 

 ested in the subject, or wants any information on it, I will 

 try to answer what questions I can, and will give them what 

 information I can ; and I would like to have those who are 

 possessed of any information to give me some in return. 



Mr. Gold. Let us hear something about foul brood. 

 Explain the points in connection with that. 



Mr. Jeffries. There are two kinds of foul brood with 

 which I am acquainted. One of them is a malignant type. 

 That type can be carried from apiary to apiary by the honey- 

 bee. It is a fungoid growth on the bee. When the egg is laid it 

 hatches into larvae in three days ; it is from five to seven days 

 a grub, and then is sealed over and remains in a chrysalis state 

 from eight to about fourteen days, according to the weather, 

 somewhat. While it is in that chrysalis state it decays and 

 can be noticed readily by a very offensive smell. Disinfectants 

 like carbolic acid and soda are used for it. The extent to which 

 malignant foul brood is detrimental to bees was shown in the 

 State of Michigan a year ago by five thousand hives being 



