A. AND M. COLLEGE APIARY. 49 



as compiled by Prof. F. W. Mally, show that in 1900, 150,000 colonies 

 under Texas conditions produced 11,250,000 pounds of honey or an 

 average of 75 pounds each. For all the colonies in the State, this would 

 without doubt be too high an average. Thirty pounds per colony would 

 seem a conservative estimate. This makes the production of the 392,644: 

 colonies 11,779,320 pounds, which, at an average price of 6 cents' per 

 pound, aggregates $706,759.20. Also, about $3,500 worth of queens are 

 annually raised and shipped from Texas. No estimate of the wax pro- 

 duced, or colonies shipped from Texas, is given, but these obviously 

 amount to considerable. Summing up, we have the total capital 

 invested, and annual output of the bee-keeping industry in Texas : 



Bees - . . , $1,374,254 00 



Appliances 68,712 00 



Honey 706,759 20 



Queens 3j50 o 00 



Total .$2,153,225 20 



These figures serve to show the importance of the industry, which has 

 been rapidly developing within the past few years, and great develop- 

 ments are possible, and probable, in the future. However, foul' brood 

 has broken out at three different points, widely separated, and at present 

 this disease threatens the greater part of the honey producing territory 

 of the State. There is no doubt that its presence will tend to restrain 

 further outlay of capital, and the immigration of bee keepers from the 

 older States. To eradicate foul brood will, owing to its contagious 

 nature, and marked resistance to remedies, require suitable legislation. 

 Its eradication is possible under efficient management of capable officials, 

 who are invested with proper authority. Popular education alone can- 

 not establish even a doubtful control of the disease. 



Other Diseases. Black brood closely resembles foul brood in some 

 respects, but may be distinguished from the latter by the fact that black 

 brood is not nearly so "ropy," and has not the odor characteristic of foul 

 brood. Black brood and pickled brood are not of sufficient occurrence 

 in the State to warrant discussion here. 



Bee Paralysis is of occasional occurrence, and slight attacks have been 

 reported by a few bee keepers. Xo case has yet come to our notice, how- 

 ever, in which the damage has been of a serious nature. Bees affected by 

 the disease are characterized by swollen and darkened abdomens, and 

 according to Mr. A. I. Eoot, of a trembling and nervous nature, with 

 inability to maintain full control of their muscles, ultimately dying. 

 Though supposed to be of bacterial origin, little is known regarding the 

 disease, and upon the foregoing supposition a strict isolation of all col- 

 onies affected should be practiced. According to Mr. A. I. Root, also, 

 removing the queen from the infected colony and substituting one from 

 healthy stock has at times proven successful. Moving the infected colony 

 onto a stand occupied by a healthy colony, and in turn placing the healthy 

 colony on the stand occupied by the infected one, is also recommended. 



Ants. Ants of various kinds, and especially of the smaller species, 

 sometimes attack the hives with a view to carrying off the honey and 

 sometimes even build their own nests in the combs of weak colonies. 



