212 DISEASED BROOD. 



died in the cells ; none were removed, consequently but 

 few cells, where any bees could be matured, were k'ft. 

 But when I attempted to discover the next link in the 

 chain, viz : — What caused the death of this brood, just at 

 this stage of development — I was obliged to stop. Not 

 the least satisfaction could be obtained. All inquiries a- 

 mong the bee-keepers of my acquaintance were met with 

 profound ignorance. They had " never heard of it !" No 

 work on bees that I consulted ever mentioned it. 



Subsequently I found more stocks in the same condition. 

 I learned whenever the disease existed to any extent, that 

 the few bees matured were insuflBcient to replace those thai 

 were lost; that the colony rapidly declined, and never 

 afterwards cast a swarm. 



EEMEDIES ATTEMPTED. 



I tried pruning out all the combs containing brood, leav- 

 ing only such as contained honey, and let the bees con- 

 struct new for breeding. It was of no use; these new 

 combs were invariably filled, with diseased brood. The 

 only eifectual remedy was to drive out the bees into an 

 empty hive. In this way, when done in season, I generally 

 succeeded in raising a healthy stock. But here was a loss 

 of all surplus honey, and a swarm or two that might have 

 been obtained from a healthy one. 



SUPPOSED CAUSE. 



I had so many cases of the kind, that I became alarmed, 

 and made inquiry through the agricultural papers for a 

 cause and remedy, offering a reward " for one that would 

 not fan when thoroughly tested." Mr. Weeks, in answer, 

 said that " cold weather in spring, chilling the brood was 

 the cause." (This was several years pi'ior to his article 

 spoken of.) Another gentleman said, that " the accumula- 

 tion of dead bees and filth during winter, when suffered to 



