76 



on samples of bees sent : " It is Isle of Wight disease." Dr Eennie 

 reported : " Nosema can not be found in this stock." 



The remaining stocks were not destroyed ; but all died out except one 

 before April 1915. This stock was then very weak and was destroyed, 

 and the hives and appliances were disinfected. 



G. — G kept two stocks of bees, about three-eighths of a mile east of B. 

 In June 1914 both were very strong ; but at the end of June, drones were 

 being thrown out in great numbers, and later in the year the bees were suffer- 

 ing from Isle of Wight disease. Before April 1915 both stocks were dead. 



H. — H's house was quite close to G. In the spring of 1914 H had an 

 empty hive in his garden ; it was filled with old combs and had been left 

 uncared for since the loss of a stock during the previous winter. (The 

 symptoms accompanying the loss of this stock were unmistakably those 

 of Isle of Wight disease. J.B.) In June a swarm came and took 

 possession of this empty hive and flourished remarkably. 1914 proved a good 

 season for honey, and this stock came through the winter, 1914-1915, very 

 well. When visited in April 1915, the bees were found working vigorously 

 and very strong for that time of year. 



A swarm came off at 9.30 a.m. on 22nd May (the earliest swarm known 

 on Deeside that year). H succeeded in skepping it, but unfortunately it rose 

 later and was lost. 



In due time a second swarm came off, which was skepped successfully, 

 and stock and swarm both appeared to thrive. 



Later, this swarm showed distinct signs of Isle of Wight disease during 

 two or three days, and then it seemed to recover. At the end of the honey 

 season, the two stocks were united. For further history of the united stock, 

 see p. 59 of this report. 



J. — J, three-quarters of a mile south-east of B, kept two stocks of bees, No. 1 

 and No. 2. When visited in June 1914 both stocks were found very strong, 

 but No. 1 was especially good and was working well in the supers. In July 

 large numbers of drones were being thrown out of the hive, in spite of fine 

 weather and a good honey flow. 



In August No. 1 showed marked signs of the disease, and J then destroyed 

 the bees. This stock had given him 126 sections. 



No. 2 swarmed, and the old queen having been killed the swarm was 

 returned to the parent hive. A young queen mated successfully, and this 

 stock did very well in 1914, but died out during the winter 1914-1915. 



It may be mentioned here that J had earlier in the season assisted some 

 of his neighbours in destroying their infected bees and cleaning and disinfect, 

 ing their hives. 



