No. 4.] BEE KEEPING. 375 



The adult bees of an infected colony are usually rather inactive, and do little 

 toward cleaning out infected material. When the larvse are first affected they 

 turn to a light chocolate color, and in the advanced stages of decay they become 

 darker, resembling roasted coffee in color. Usually the larva; are attacked at 

 about the time of capping, and most of the cells containing infected larvae are 

 capped. As decay proceeds these cappings become sunken and perforated, 

 and, as the healthy brood emerges, the comb shows the scattered cells containing 

 larvae which have died of disease, still capped. The most noticeable character- 

 istic of this infection is the fact that when a small stick is inserted in a larva 

 which has died of the disease, and slowly removed, the broken-down tissues 

 adhere to it, and will often stretch out for several inches before breaking. When 

 the larva dries it forms a tightly adhering scale of very dark brown color, which 

 can best be observed when the comb is held so that a bright light strikes the 

 lower side wall. Decaying larvae which have died of this disease have a very 

 characteristic odor which resembles a poor quality of glue. This disease seldom 

 attacks drone or queen larvae. It appears to be much more virulent in the 

 western part of the United States than in the east. 



European foul brood, which is getting hold on New England and in 

 which is found Bacillus alvci, causes the most rapid loss abroad. Along 

 the New York State boundary of Massachusetts and in other sections 

 of this State the disease is known to occur. Again we quote Dr. 

 Phillips, from the same paper: — 



European foul brood (often called "black brood") is not nearly as widespread 

 in the United States as is American foul brood, but in certain parts of the 

 country it has caused enormous losses. It is steadily on the increase, and is 

 constantly being reported from new localities. It is therefore desirable that bee 

 keepers be on the watch for it. 



Adult bees in infected colonies are not very active, but do succeed in cleaning 

 out some of the dried scales. This disease attacks larvae earlier than does 

 American foul brood, and a comparatively small percentage of the diseased 

 brood is ever capped. The diseased larvae which are capped over have sunken 

 and perforated cappings. The larvae when first attacked show a small yellow 

 spot on the body near the head, and move uneasily in the cell. When death 

 occurs they turn yellow, then brown, and finally almost black. Decaying larvae 

 which have died of this disease do not usually stretch out in a long thread when 

 a small stick is inserted and slowly removed. Occasionally there is a very 

 slight "ropiness," but this is never very marked. The thoroughly dried larvae 

 form irregular scales, which are not strongly adherent to the lower side wall of 

 the cell. There is very little odor from decaying larvae which have died from 

 this disease, and when an odor is noticeable it is not the "glue-pot" odor of the 

 American foul brood, but more nearly resembles that of soured dead brood. 

 This disease attacks drone and queen larvae very soon after the colony is infected. 

 It is as a rule much more infectious than American foul brood, and spreads more 

 rapidly. On the other hand, it sometimes happens that the disease will dis- 

 appear of its own accord, — a thing which the author never knew to occur in a 

 genuine case of American foul. brood. European foul brood is most destructive 

 during the spring and early summer, often almost disappearing in late summer 

 and autumn. 



It being impracticable here to give detailed discussion of the treat- 

 ment of these diseases, we would refer you to the above-mentioned 

 circular, which can be had free upon application, or to a more full 

 account of both the treatment and character of the disease: The 

 Bacteria of the Apiary, with Special Reference to Bee Diseases, Tech- 



