37 



may be used again with perfect safety, if, having been washed and 

 dried, it be scrupulously painted with a mixture of two parts methy- 

 lated spirit and one part carbolic acid crystals, or one and one-half parts 

 good white fluid carbolic acid. This mixture not only destroys all 

 bacilli, but it glues them down by dissolving the propolis." For wash- 

 ing corrosive sublimate solution (Mercuric chloride), one-eighth ounce 

 in a gallon of water, may be used to advantage. A thorough rinsing 

 must follow. 



Fumigation of the hive with formaldehyde gas has been advocated, 

 but recently this has not been found to penetrate the wax and honey 

 suflBciently to kill all germs. A better method is to extract the honey 

 and melt up the combs. Heat these for an hour or so as high as possi- 

 ble without burning. This will kill all germs. Then run off the wax, 

 which may be again used. The honey also is rendered wholesome for 

 either man or bees. 



After handling diseased colonies the hands and all tools must be thor- 

 oughly disinfected before permitting them to touch healthy stock. 



So far as we know every case of foul brood arises from infested bees 

 in the neighborhood. A hive dies out, the owner neglects to examine it, 

 possibly does not know that it is dead, but other bees rob it out and 

 carry the germs wherever they go. Thus, like an epidemic in a city, 

 the disease spreads until checked. When brood disease strikes in, the 

 only hope of saving the industry in a neighborhood lies in prompt and 

 energetic action on the part of every bee keeper. 



The main difficulties of bee keeping have been considered and none 

 of them are insurmountable. A few minor dangers remain to be briefly 

 noticed. 



Spraying trees during fruit bloom has caused severe loss in some sec- 

 tions, by poisoning great numbers of bees. Spraying at this time is 

 never necessary and is prohibited by law in some and should be in all 

 States. The direction given by Prof. M. V. Slingerland in Cornell 

 Experiment Station Bulletin 142, p. 58, "The Coddling Moth," is,— 

 " never spray a fruit tree when it is in blossom. You can reach the 

 insect and fungous enemies as effectively, and in some cases more so, 

 either just before or just after the trees bloom." You may then be cer- 

 tain of poisoning no bees. 



Mice and rats have a sweet tooth and if allowed to will work havoc 

 in an apiary in winter. This may be prevented by tacking over the 

 entrances wire mesh of proper size, not to prevent the passage of bees, 

 but to keep out the mice. All surplus combs or honey must be stored 

 in mouse-proof rooms or boxes. A better way .still is to completely rid 

 the premises of all such pests and then keep traps well baited and set 

 the year around. Place no dependence on cats to do the job thoroughly 

 enough, and with the pests once inside the hives the cats cannot get them. 



The king bird is commonly supposed to feed upon bees, the name 

 " bee-bird " or " bee-eater " being commonly applied to it in some sections. 

 Examinations of 281 stomachs of birds shot feeding about apiaries re- 

 vealed, however, the remains of only 4 worker bees, 40 drones and a 

 number of robber flies which are known to prey upon laden workers. 



