44 INTRODUCTION TO CALIFORNIA. 



Notwithstanding such disastrous results attending" 

 the previous years' shipments, there were upwards of 

 six thousand hives of bees imported during the winter 

 of 1859-60. They arrived in better condition appar- 

 ently than those of previous years ; yet, owing to the 

 fact that large numbers of them were infected with 

 the disease known as foul brood prior to their pur- 

 chase and shipment, together with the effects of so 

 long a voyage, probably one-half of the whole num- 

 ber were lost. Many of the remainder have since 

 died, or now linger in a diseased condition, which is 

 infinitely worse for the parties owning them than if 

 all had died at once. Thus, the result has been bad 

 for all concerned ; for, while some have lost their 

 money, others have injured their reputation, besides 

 paralyzing for a time an important branch of pro- 

 ductive industry. 



