BEE-KEEPING. «15 



over. It may also lurk in and about the hive, and a hive that has contained 

 a diseased colony should not be again used for any purpose tUl thoroughly 

 disinfected by boiling. 



"When a colony is badly diseased it may frequently be known by the 

 odor without opening the hive. To me it is very much like that given off 

 by the melting of bad glue. 



It may be quite readily known on examination of the combs, especially 

 if badly diseased. If but few cells of brood are affected it may not be* 

 detected by one not acquainted with it, and if extracted honey is -taken ma^ 

 readily be communicated to every colony, for it is very contjigious. 



When the brood first dies it usually has the appearance of pus, or " majJ- 

 ter," and settles down in the lower back comer of the cell, and is light col- 

 ored; but the longer it is dead the darker it becomes, sometimes getting almost' 

 black. 



If the disease is suspected, take a pin and with the head slowly attempt 

 to remove the putrid mass from one of the cells. If it clings to the pin and 

 also to the cell, and stretches out like a thread of rubber, and finally lets gd 

 the pin and draws back into the cell, it is quite safe to call it foul brood. 



Being so contagious, it, by many, is considered difficult to cure; so mudi 

 so that it is directed to burn a good log or brush-heap, and when well oa 

 fire throw the hive, bees and all, into the fire. But Uiis is a useless waste, 

 the bees, hive, and irames may be saved and the combs melted into wax. 

 Probably the best way is to have a starving box to hold about a peck, with 

 one side off, or an empty hive may be used. Shake and brush all the beea. 

 of the diseased colony into the stiirving box and cover the open side with; 

 wire cloth, so that not a bee can escape, and do not let a single Ihjc from the 

 colony being treated go to any other colony, for it will be pretty sure to carry 

 the disease with it. Set this box in a cool, dark place, where no bees can 

 reach it, placing the box so that the wire cloth will be on the side, not on th» 

 top or bottom. 



Now melt the combs into wax, and thoroughly boil the hive and frames and 

 everything connected with it, in water, and it is again ready for use. Do not iise 

 the old location again unless it has been thoroughly scalded, ground and all, 

 ■with boiling water, or covered one or more inches deep with salt, which is to b© 

 left to be dissolved by the rains and dews. 



After the bees have been in the box two or more days some of the bees wili 

 be seen falling to the bottom, having consumed all the honey taken with them, 

 and are actually starving. If they were well filled with honey when put in the 

 box it may be six or more days before the honey is all used up. When a few 

 bees fall to the bottom, say 100, more or less, and are crawling slowly about, 

 they may be placed in the boiled or some other hive that has been prepared with 

 foundation or starters. 



I would not use any comb for a few days, for if any of the bees should sdU 

 have any f oud honey it would be deposited in the cells and so continue Uie 

 disease. 



