314 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. [Ch. vi. 



the perpetuation of the species, may have ordered that 

 swarming should be the means of establishing fresh 

 colonies freed from the disadvantages and contamination 

 of the old. The late Mr. J. H. Payne, of Bury St. 

 Edmunds, had a straw skep that had had bees in it 

 without intermission for twenty years, but it is not ad- 

 visable to keep them so long, although, with a little 

 judicious pruning, much may be done to remedy the 

 defects of old combs. Our own experience for keeping 

 a stock does not extend beyond ten years. 



When we take into consideration how sorely our 

 farmers are perplexed by the cattle plague, known as 

 the rinderpest, concerning which so many conflicting 

 opinions exist (and the same may be said of the recom- 

 mendations for its cure), can we wonder that our little 

 favourites should occasionally be liable to disorders of 

 this sort which puzzle even experienced bee-keepers? 

 In the hope of allaying unnecessary alarm, we would 

 just add that foul brood is not a very general complaint, 

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

 fatal in large experimental apiaries, where extensive pro- 

 pagation has necessarily had to be pushed forward. With 

 the experience and advice already gained, this disorder 

 may now be said to be considerably deprived of its terrors. 



We find several other complaints described at more or 

 less length by Von Berlepsch, but to which a very brief 

 allusion will here suffice. One he speaks of under the 

 self- explaining title of ' ' thirst-need, " as to which he rightly 



