142 A Modern Bee-Farm 
being frightened, and so did not first gorge themselves 
with their own stores. 
Honey and Disease Germs. 
It would be strange indeed if honey in a foul broody 
hive did not become contaminated to a slight extent. But 
here again the spores have no suitable soil wherein to 
extend their numbers, which therein are comparatively 
small; many investigators having been unable to discover 
any. This is not to be wondered at, for the humid summer 
temperature of the hive must cause them to germinate in 
detail, only to end their existence, for not only is there 
nothing in honey to encourage such parasites, but. rather 
is it a substance detrimental to all disease germs, and in 
many cases a strong antiseptic in itself. 
Abortive Germination. 
It is well known that the seed germs of all plant life 
may be induced by warmth and moisture to make an 
abortive attempt at development, even when no soil is 
present to encourage further growth. The greater the 
heat and moisture the more rapid is the germination ; and 
so also is their extinction more quickly ensured in the total 
absence of nourishment. The very few exceptions where 
plants may scrape a living on air and bare rock do not 
alter the general rule. & 
Boiling Honey. 
Now it is a question if, after all, the act of boiling 
really does destroy the spores. The proof seems evident 
and simple enough that it does not. In the first place 
the process of applying heat alternately with cooling, is 
absolutely necessary. If boiling would do it the first 
application would be sufficient, but that is not so. It 
appears to be simply a question of germination, while the 
