62 The Isle of Wight Bee Disease. 



highest price, but the cost of feeding was more, and " cod-liver 

 oil " stood second as regards final money return. Then 

 followed " gruel," while " calf meal " gave the lowest return, 

 the longer period of feeding required largely accounting for this. 

 The Butcher's remarks (summarised) were : — 



" Cod-liver oil " lot. — These animals died remarkably well, 

 the average loss being 4*42 per cent. Though small, 

 the beef was of the finest quality, being quite equal to 

 the " crushed oats " lot. 



" Calf meal" lot. — These animals died "hard." Average loss 

 4'26 per cent. The beef was not of the same quality 

 as the other lots, and gave the impression that the 

 animals had been " hard doers." 



" Gruel " lot. — These animals were inclined to be " pot- 

 bellied." The average loss was 7*11 per cent. The 

 flesh "set" well and had a good "grain." The animals 

 were inclined to be poor on the backs, though other 

 parts were well covered. 



" Whole milk " lot. — Average loss 4*22 per cent. These 

 animals were somewhat disappointing as compared 

 with the " crushed oats " lot and the " cod-liver oil " 

 lot, the flesh not being so firm. 



"Crushed oats" lot. — The beef was firm, of an excellent 

 colour, with the fat very evenly distributed through 

 the lean. Average loss 4*8 per cent. 



This experiment gave rise to a great deal of interest among 

 visitors to the fai'm, and, during its progi'ess, the interim 

 reports issued by the Committee were eagerly enquired for, a 

 great deal of correspondence ensuing therefrom, thus fully 

 justifying the Committee in feeling that they were carrying on 

 an enquiry which was of practical benefit to all engaged in 

 calf-rearing. 



J. Augustus Voblckbr. 



1 Tudor Street, 



London, B.C. 



THE ISLE OF WIGHT BEE DISEASE. 



Introduction. 



An epidemic among bees in Great Britain, which has beconie 

 known as the "Isle of "Wight Bee Disease," was first brought 

 to public notice in 1906. In that year the bee-keepers of the 

 Isle of Wight complained of a disease which was devastating 

 their apiaries and spreading with considerable rapidity. The 

 epidemic appears to have been first observed in the south- 

 eastern corner of the island in 1904, and to have spread so 



