62 



A Modern Bee-Farm 



CHAPTER VIII. 



ENEMIES AND DISEASES OF BEES. 



ALONG list is frequently given under this head, but, so 

 far as I am aware, if all colonies are strong, there is 

 not a single enemy that can make any impression upon our 

 stocks; and as to birds, the injury caused by them is more 

 fanciful than real. They do occasionally take bees, but 

 according to my own observation it is seldom anything but 

 drones and dead workers that are consumed. 



Of the diseases, too, there is but one which requires any 

 serious consideration, and that is 



FOUL BROOD, 



so called until lately, but now designated Bacillus. Alvei by 

 Mr. Cheshire, who has made most exhaustive experiments 

 and investigations in regard to this matter, and now tells us 

 that the disease affects not only the brood, but the adult bees, 

 and queen as well. 



It has so frequently been stated that the disease can be 

 discovered by the foul smell emitted by the stock which may 

 have it, that I consider it necessary to warn the uninitiated 

 not to wait for such a rude awakening. At that stage it is 

 very infectious indeed, and it will be a saving to burn the 

 hive and contents at once. With a colony in such a state the 

 novice is certain to do only harm by attempting a cure, and 

 it is well to be clear of it. 



