DYSEN TERY 223 
fruit, by washing off the pollen at a critical period, but results 
in the destruction of the honey-bees whose presence just at this 
time is very essential to his success. So serious had this con- 
dition become in some localities that laws have been passed to 
prevent the spraying of fruit trees during the period of full 
bloom. It would seem that any man who is sufficiently progres- 
sive to spray his trees would realize the fact that he can get 
better results in spraying immediately after the petals fall. 
Dysentery is usually caused by too long confinement or poor 
stores. Under normal conditions the worker-bee voids her excre- 
ment only when on the wing. When long periods of time elapse 
during which they are unable to fly and thus relieve themselves 
of the accumulated waste in the intestines, they are sometimes 
compelled to discharge within the hive. When this condition is 
reached they soon die, unless a change in the weather permits 
them to get out and to clean up. Under such circumstances the 
combs are badly soiled and the bees die amidst the filth. 
Honey-dew or other poor stores is quite likely to cause this 
trouble. It is an important matter to see that the hives are 
supplied with honey of the best quality for wintering, especially 
in the North where the bees are confined for weeks or months 
without flight. (See Chapter XIII.) 
Weak colonies are more susceptible to dysentery than strong 
colonies, for the reason that a greater amount of food will neces- 
sarily be consumed in order to keep up the heat, and the waste 
is consequently greater. 
Prevention.—From the above it will be seen that dysentery 
is generally a winter disorder and that proper wintering insures 
freedom from the trouble. While strong colonies, with good 
stores and proper protection, seldom are seriously troubled, still 
even they may have trouble under unfavorable conditions, or 
during very long confinement. 
Remedy.—About the only remedy is a good flight on a warm 
day. If the bees are beginning to show signs of this trouble in 
the cellar in winter, and a warm day comes which will permit 
