17 



empty kerosene-case placed on the old stand, and on the fourth day 

 after, changed into a clean hive furnished with full sheets of comb- 

 foundation. "While at the apiary I assisted in treating another in 

 the same way. I am well aware that some years ago the owner of the 

 same apiary was near giving up beekeeping in despair owing to 

 " foul brood," but he is now well satisfied to continue, having practi- 

 cally mastered the disease by his treatment. 



Treatment recommended. 

 During the course of my rounds I have discussed the subject of 

 treatment of " foul brood " with quite a number of our leading and 

 most extensive beekeepers (to whom I acknowledge my indebtedness 

 for their valuable assistance), who have had many years' experience 

 in dealing with the disease, and who have by care and perseverance 

 been able to master it, in so far that it now gives them but little 

 anxiety. They, however, never relax their watchfulness for symp- 

 toms, and treatment at once follows their first appearance, as a 

 matter of course. They were unanimous in their opinion that the 

 only certain and effective treatment that will suppress and cure 

 the disease is the starvation method, and there are only very 

 trifling differences in some of the details in their mode of carrying 

 it out. 



The following remarks practically convey the gist of their several 

 opinions and my own experience, and I have full confidence in re- 

 commending to our New Zealand beekeepers the following slight 

 modifications of the McEvoy treatment. 



In the spring, after the weather has become warm and settled, 

 and honey being stored freely, and before much breeding is in pro- 

 gress (some time in November), is the most suitable time to deal 

 with diseased colonies. Two good reasons may be advanced for tbis : 

 First, because the disease in its earlier stages is more readily de- 

 tected in spring ; and, secondly, because the colonies treated at that 

 time have an opportunity of recovering and becoming strong before 

 the main honey-flow sets in. Treatment may also be carried out at 

 any time during the honey season, but there must of necessity be 

 greater sacrifice than when done in spring. 



Keep a sharp look-out when going through the hives in early 

 spring and mark any containing disease for treatment later on. Be 

 cautious not to disturb the affected colonies more than can be avoided 

 until time for treatment, lest robbing should take place. Where 

 the disease is in an advanced stage and the colony very weak, it will 

 be more safe and profitable to destroy the bees by sulphur or other 

 means, and to melt the combs, into wax or burn them at once. The 



3— Bee-culture. 



