238 • THE APIARY. 



favourites should occasionally be liable to disorders of 

 this sort, which puzzle even' experienced bee-keepers ? 

 In the hope of allajang- unnecessary alarm, we would 

 just add that " foul brood" is not a very general com- 

 plaint, and, so far as our observation extends, has been 

 most fatal in large experimental apiaries, where exten- 

 sive propag-ation has necessarily had to be pushed for- 

 ward. With the experience and advice already gained, 

 this disorder may now be said to be deprived of its terrors. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



Every bee-keeper should be a book-keeper ; that is, so 

 far as to have a permanent record of the events of the 

 apiary and the fortunes of his bees. A book similar to a 

 tradesman's journal would be very suitable for the pur- 

 pose. In it he should note down the date of the first 

 swarm of the season especially, and those of the other 

 swarms also ; and in autumn, the quantity of honey 

 taken from each hive should be entered, with remarks 

 on the probable size of the various stocks. These parti- 

 culars will not only be interesting for the bee-keeper to 

 turn to in winter, but will be of practical service in ena- 

 bling him to know the exact age and probable strength 

 of each stock. The bee-book may also be contrived to 

 show the total amount of honey that the bees have pro- 

 duced for their owner, and the net money profit of the 

 apiary. A simple and clear account like this— provided. 



