248 Journal of the Department. of AGfRicuLTtiRE. 



disease. As I have previously explained, by providing proper 

 conaitions in the wintering of the bees and by providing abun- 

 dant stores to last over in case of early dearth, the bee-keeper 

 may almost entirely prevent an outbreak even in a region where 

 the disease is endemic. 



Treatment for European Foul-hroou. 



In Bulletin iSo. JO (pages 9-12) advice by Dr. Phillips, in a letter 

 dated 30th March, 1918, is given in respect of the treatment of 

 European foul-brood ; but so much i-s quoted on more drastic measures 

 that one may get tlie impression that the advice in the letter is 

 inadequate. Dr Phillips lias since written to say he is no longer 

 sceptical of the soundness of the dequeening remedy known as tlie 

 Alexander treatment, and that the common failure of this remedy 

 was due to its application to weak colonies. He refers to U.S.A. 

 Farmers' Bulletin No. 975 for the latest knowledge on the subject. 

 This bulletin is entitled " The Control of European Foul-brood," and 

 Dr. Phillips is its author. The following paragraphs contain the 

 information most needed to supplement what is stated in the account 

 of the disease pu})lished in our Bulletin No. 10: — 



European foul-brood is a disease of weak colonies. While 

 at times one may observe larvae dead of this disease in strong 

 colonies, usually they are removed before the disease can do 

 much harm. It should be pointed out, further, that it is the 

 colony which is failing to increase in strength in the spring 

 which is most seriously affected, for a small colony which is rich 

 in young and vigorous bees, and which is increasing in strength, 

 is often able to overcome the disease. It is therefore a disease 

 of weak rather than small colonies. The disease is prevalent in 

 the spring and early summer. . . . The disease disappears 

 later in the summer unless the colony has become so badly 

 weakened that it cannot remove the dead larvae. Such weakened 

 colonies usually die in winter or in a time of dearth. Colonies 

 do not as a rule die as a direct result of European foul-brood. 

 There may still remain some dead larvae in the combs, showing 

 that the bees have not been able to remove all of them, but in 

 any but the worst cases even these disappear. If conditions 

 which commonly prevail in early summer again appear there 

 may be a recurrence of the disease the same season. 



This disappearance of the disease usually accompanies the 

 beginning of the honey-flow. At this time, unless the colony 

 has already reached maximum strength, there is a rapid increase 

 in brood rearing and the colony increases in strength, bringing 

 about conditions unfavourable for the development of the 

 disease. If the honey-flow fails, the disease may continue, and 

 under such conditions is at its worst. It should be noted that in 

 regions where the early honey-flows are uncertain or usually 

 lacking European foul-brood has done 'the most damage, for in 

 years of failure the disease spreads with such rapidity that the 

 entire region becomes badly infected. European foul-brood is 

 rarely observed in regions where an early honey-flow is certain. 



The earliest brood of the year usually escapes with little 

 loss. . . . This in all probability is due to the fact that the 



