431 



The introduction of the parasite into the hive is not necessarily followed by the appear- 

 ance of the disease, and some stocks remain healthy while the infected bees are gradually 

 eliminated. At present no remedy is known, and it is recommended that where a stock 

 exhibits a heavy continuous mortality, it should be destroyed, as it never completely recovers 

 and is a continual and serious source of danger. 



All dead bees should be picked up and burnt and the ground disinfected. Hives that 

 have contained diseased bees should likewise be disinfected. 



Nosema has also been found in humble-bees and wasps, but it is not yet conclusive 

 that it belongs to the species Nosema apis. New light has been thrown on the life his- 

 tory of humble-bees and their parasites by Mr. Sladen, who has succeeded in domesticat- 

 ing, and keeping under observation, species of Bombus in artificial domiciles, to which 

 queens were attracted. 



The following are the most important works which have appeared during the last three 

 years bearing on the subject : Dr. E. Zander's Der Bau der Biene, and Die Krankheiten und 

 Schddlinge der erwachsenen Bienen; T. W. Cowan's Wax Craft, all about beeswax, its history, 

 production, adulteration and commercial value; The Report on the Isle of Wight disease, by 

 Dn Graham-Smith and others, issued by the Board of Agriculture & Fisheries; and F. W. L. 

 Sladen's The Humble-Bee, its life-history and how to domesticate it. (Tnos. WM. COWAN.) 



THE FUR INDUSTRY 1 



So far as concerns the preparation of fur skins for the market, there is nothing new 

 of importance since 1910. One great change however has occurred in the primary con- 

 ditions of the fur supply. In connection with the great importance and necessity of 

 enforcing close seasons and restrictions to prevent the total extermination of fur-bearing 

 animals, a notable event has taken place as the result of the International Fur Seal Con- 

 ference between the United States, Great Britain, Japan and Russia which was in session 

 at Washington from May n to July 7, 1911. 



The conference concluded its labours on the latter date by the signature of a conven- 

 tion, which was ratified and went into effect on December 15, 1911, and is to continue 

 in force for a period of fifteen years from that date and thereafter until terminated by 

 twelve months written notice given by one or more of the parties to all of the others. 

 This convention was for the preservation and protection of the fur seals and sea otter, 

 which frequent the waters of the North Pacific ocean, its essential object being to stop 

 pelagic sealing, which was an international question. " Pelagic sealing " means " the 

 killing and capturing fur seals at sea," which had long prevailed in spite of the constant 

 and earnest efforts on the part of the United States Government to have it discontinued. 



The Pribiloff Islands, which are the natural home and breeding places of the fur seals, 

 were in former years leased by the United States to companies, who had the right to 

 engage in taking fur seals on these islands. These leases expired by limitation on April 

 30, 1910, and it was found advisable to abandon the former system of leasing, the 

 Government of the United States taking over entire control of the islands and the seal 

 herds. It appeared that the seal herds on the islands have been reduced to such an 

 extent that their early extinction had to be looked for unless measures for their preserva- 

 tion were adopted. A herd numbering 375,000 twelve years ago was reduced to 135,000, 

 and it was estimated that the breeding of seals had been reduced in the same period of 

 time from 130,000 to 56,000. The rapid depletion of these herds was undoubtedly to 

 be ascribed to the practice of pelagic sealing, and by the convention signed by the four 

 countries above named pelagic sealing is prohibited for 15 years from December 1911. 



The countries who were until recently engaged in this wasteful and indiscriminate 

 slaughter of fur seals have been induced after difficult and protracted negotiations to 

 agree to abandon pelagic sealing on condition that they shall receive compensating in- 

 terest in the skins taken by the United States Government on land. 



In killing seals at sea all ages and sexes are killed indiscriminately, and a great waste 

 thus takes place, as many, upon being shot, sink and are lost before the hunters can reach 

 them; in fact it is well known that of all killed fully one half are lost. 



The seals leave the islands in the autumn and make a most wonderful migration; it 



1 See E. B. xi, 346 et seq. 



