CHAPTER XII 

 DISEASES AND ENEMIES OF BEES 



As a country grows older new vicissitudes beset almost any 

 line of business, and bee-keeping is no exception. In many sec- 

 tions of the United States brood diseases have not as yet appeared, 

 and in many others the bee-keepers are having their first experi- 

 ence in combating them. However, it is only a matter of time 

 until bee-keepers can expect to be compelled to deal with foul 

 brood no matter where they live. It accordingly will pay the 

 business bee-keeper to inform himself as fully as possible con- 

 cerning bee diseases, even though there be none at present in 

 his vicinity. 



Expert bee-keepers are frequently all but ruined by the 

 appearance of foul brood in their apiaries. With a thorough 

 knowledge of the accepted methods of dealing with disease the 

 experience need not be so costly, for by prompt action the danger 

 can be largely avoided. 



The census of 1901 showed a decrease of 16.1 per cent of 

 the total number of colonies of bees in the United States as a 

 whole. The wide-spread presence of disease is no doubt largely 

 responsible for this condition. With an increasing population 

 and a decreasing number of bee-keepers, it would look as if the 

 business of honey production should offer a good field of opera- 

 tions. While the small bee-keepers with a few colonies on the 

 farms are rapidly being removed, specialists are increasing in 

 number. This is as it should be, for to-day is the great age of 

 specialists and the business which is not worthy of development 

 as a specialty offers little inducement to the active man. 



WThile there are still many puzzling things that manifest 

 themselves in connection with foul brood, the essentials neces- 

 sary to the control of either form are pretty well understood and 

 practical men who are on their guard find it possible to withstand 

 206 



