8 



which will char and blacken the wood will be satisfactory. 

 Cracks, corners and crevices must not be neglected. A 

 hive thoroughly flamed is safe to be used again. 



The Spread of the Diseases. 

 Especially in the decayed brood, in the resulting dried 

 scales, in the honey and pollen of an infected colony, there 

 occur innumerable germs or spores of the disease organism, 

 each capable of growth and production of the disease. 

 These spores are the resting stage of the organism, are re- 

 sistant to heat and cold, dryness and antiseptics, and may 

 be compared to seeds of the higher plants. In contact with 

 the living tissues of the larval bee, these spores may germi- 

 nate, grow, reproduce and multiply. Thus, if infected 

 material comes in contact with a healthy colony, there is 

 great danger of the spread of the disease. Honey particu- 

 larly is an important means of its dissemination. Every 

 beekeeper should realize, therefore, that each case of either 

 brood disease is capable of infecting all the bees within a 

 radius of several miles. 



Robber Bees. 

 Eobber bees are known to be one of the chief agents in 

 spreading the diseases. If a colony dies, no matter from 

 what cause, do not risk the removal of the remaining stores 

 by robbers, but immediately close up the hive bee-tight 

 and remove it to a building secure from bees. If a colony 

 is discovered to be diseased, contract the entrance and pro- 

 tect it from robbers ; then treat. 



Honey. 

 Honey has been shown to be the chief medium for the 

 transmission of the disease germs. Consequently feed no 

 honey unless thoroughly boiled. Leave no honey about 

 where bees may possibly get at it. Do not allow bees to 

 clean up scraps of comb, section boxes, partially filled supers 

 or tools smeared with honey. In treating, take care that 

 the honey of the infected colony does not shake out into the 

 new hive or onto the ground. 



