THE BACTERIA OF THE APIARY WITH SPECIAL 

 REFERENCE TO BEE DISEASES. 



• INTRODUCTION. 



Since bacteriology is one of the youngest of the sciences, it is only 

 natural that there should be many problems concerning which there 

 is much confusion, and many others concerning which nothing is 

 known. In a study of the saprophytic bacteria this is especially 

 true; the exploration of this jungle of micro-organisms is scarcely 

 begun. Comparatively few species have been studied and named, 

 and a much less number can be identified. From studies that have 

 been made one is led to believe that the species which might be 

 classed under bacteria outnumber by far all the macroscopic plants 

 known. Comparatively little is as yet known concerning the dis- 

 tribution of these minute organisms in nature, their needs for multi- 

 plication and growth, their power of endurance, their relations the 

 one to the other, their relations to man and industries, and their 

 relation to pathogenic species. Both from the standpoint of scien- 

 tific interest and from the standpoint of practical economy these 

 problems call for further investigation. 



By far the greatest amount of work which has been done in the 

 science of bacteriology has been prompted by the direct or indirect 

 economic importance of the question. This is largely true of the 

 present investigation, since honey bees suffer from a number of 

 diseases, some of which are considered in Part 11. 



TECHNIQUE. 

 Obtaining Material for Study. 



If necessary, bees may be conveniently shipped alive by mail in 



cages constructed for that purpose. Combs also may be sent by mail 



in small boxes. If combs, honey, pollen, or larvse are desired, the hive 



must be entered. In case older adult bees are wanted it is not difficult 



to supply the needs from the entrance to the hive. To capture them 



one may stand at the entrance and catch the unwary toiler as she 



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