HOW MAN SPREADS BEE DISEASE 233 



when they show signs of disease. Sometimes this 

 may be done deliberately or sometimes from a mis- 

 taken idea that better pollen can be obtained in 

 another locality, and more than one new centre for 

 disease has started in this way. 



Then two stocks, both weakened by disease, have 

 been united, with disastrous results, for the increase 

 in numbers means increase of the possibilities for 

 acquiring infection, and both sets succumb. Certainly 

 one set of brood does not get chilled quite so soon 

 if the stocks are united, but the result to the colony 

 usually is as bad in the end, and a recurrence of the 

 disease is often of a more severe nature than the first 

 attack. 



Lack of complete cleansing of old hives, again, is 

 a means of continuing disease. Even disinfection 

 with carbolic acid is rarely of much use, and fire 

 seems to be the only effective remedy and means 

 whereby the spores can be destroyed. Slight char- 

 ring of the interior of the hive is sufficient. Fre- 

 quently old comb is used, for the labour of wax- 

 production is very great, and should the old comb 

 have come from a diseased hive, it must be regarded 

 with grave suspicion. Small quantities of wax are 

 also collected from various sources, and this is some- 

 times melted at too low a temperature, and any 

 spores contained therein are unharmed. When the 

 wax is run into troughs for foundation, the spores 

 go with it, and can be easily taken up by the bees. 



Preventive measures seem to be of most service 

 in combating the disease. The only certain destruc- 

 tive agent for the spores is fire. All dead bees should 



