CHAPTER XI 



THE APIARIST AND HIS FOES 



The time has undoubtedly arrived when no in- 

 telligent bee-keeper can honestly resist the intro- 

 duction of an Act of Parliament dealing with bee 

 diseases. The advent of Isle of Wight disease 

 (Microsporidiosis), with its terrific ravages, makes 

 such an Act a vital condition of successful api- 

 culture. Formerly the apiarist considered his 

 troubles to be infinite when his apiary contracted 

 foul-brood, but this old brood malady pales 

 beside the fierce and deadly pestilence which is 

 now devastating our apiaries. 



Briefly, the chief foes of the apiarist are Isle of 

 Wight disease, and foul-brood, and he should be 

 thoroughly conversant with the symptoms, aspects 

 and treatment of these maladies. He has other 

 troubles, dysentery, bee paralysis, and May pest, 

 while at times toads, tits, and a few other birds 

 will prey upon his bees, and wasps will steal his 

 honey. Mention is made of dysentery in an earlier 

 chapter, while the depredations of the toads and 

 other small fry are usually infinitesimal, and may 

 be easily checked. In the case of bee paralysis, 

 and May pest, there are grave suspicions for 



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