■iSO DISEASES OF BEES. 



wedges are inserted at the sides, so as to leave only space 

 for the insertion of nozzle, C, of fumigator. With hives on 

 legs, the floor-board can be lowered. Fifteen and a half grains 

 of salicylic acid are then placed in the dish I, and the flame 

 of the lamp so regulated that the acid is gently evaporated. 

 Too much flame will cause it to boil over, and waste; too little 

 would not melt it, so that just the right amount is found out by 

 experiment. The nozzle of the fumigator in operation is now 

 inserted in the opening at the bottom, and the corners of the 

 quilt turned up, so as to allow the vapor of the acid to cir- 

 culate freely. The fumigations should be performed early in 

 the morning, or in the evening, when all the bees are at home. 

 The entrance of the hive need not be closed. Any portion of 

 the hive not reached by the fumes of the acid, the alighting- 

 board and ground, near the hive, should be washed or syringed 

 witL salicylic acid 1 oz., soda borax 1 oz., water 2 quarts, or 

 solution No. 3. It would be much better if the frames could 

 be transferred to a clean hive after fumigation, and the in- 

 fected hive scalded and painted over with the same solution, 

 and with this view I have adapted my hives for easy separa- 

 tion and purification. Many hives, however, cannot be taken 

 to pieces so readily, therefore must be disinfected on the spot 

 as well as possible, by the expenditure of a little more of the 

 solution. Each hive should be fumigated from four to six 

 times, at intervals of six days. The bees must receive every 

 other evening a quarter of a pint of syrup containing 30 to 

 50 drops of solution No. 1. A foul-broody hive should be fumi- 

 gated before being, opened, as few frames left as the bees can 

 well occupy, and if possible, the bees should be forced to build 

 fresh combs, and rapid brood-rearing encouraged. 



"All the hives in the apiary should be fed with syrup con- 

 taining salicylic acid while the disease lasts. 



"The honey from the infected combs can be removed and 

 boiled for a short time, and by adding salicylic acid to it, can 

 be used as food for the bees. All combs should be fumigated 

 before being stored away, and sprayed with spray diflfuser, on 

 both sides and round the edges before being ijsed again, with 

 solution No. 1. 



"All hives, floor-boards, frames, and utensils, used about an 

 apiary should be scalded and thoroughly cleansed when done 



