NECTAR AND HONEY-DEW 163 



Scientists are not unanimous on the question of bee 

 diseases, and in Australasia the various State Govern- 

 ments have given the matter little or no consideration. 

 Dr. Price,' of the Victorian Agricultural Department, 

 states that "Nosema" is closely related to a disease that 

 is found in silkworms, and that this too will probably 

 have to be studied before the life history of the ' ' Nosema" 

 is available. 



BEE-PARALYSIS. 



This disease appears to be more prevalent in warm 

 climates; just as dysentery favours the cold, moist 

 portions of the States. At first the bees appear drowsy, 

 and odd ones will be noticed excitedly running about the 

 bottom-board greatly swollen and endeavouring to get 

 away from the colony as fast as possible. Close obser- 

 vation will show some bees nervously trembling ; they are 

 also greasy-looking and dark. As with other bee diseases, 

 the information regarding the cause is rather hazy. It 

 is generally considered a constitutional disease of the 

 royal mother, for the- introduction of a young Italian 

 queen to the diseased stock is usually effective. At other 

 times removing the frames of brood to healthy hives, 

 and replacing them with fresh combs has proved 

 efficacious. The bees should also be sprinkled with 

 sulphur. Some strains are very susceptible to paralysis, 

 and the apjarist should refrain from breeding from them. 



NECTAR AND HONEY-DEW. 



HONEY-DEW. 



After reading the last few pages on diseases of the 

 bee it will be seen that food plays an important part in 

 the successful wintering of the colonies. The honey 

 gathered in autumn is not always good winter food. 

 Perhaps it is not quite right to use the word "honey" 

 without some qualifying adjective. In the autumn, bees 



