Isle of Wight Disease in Hive Bees. 35 



In 1915 J resumed bee-keeping. He obtained a swarm and placed it in 

 one of his disinfected hives. This stocli built up steadily at first, later it 

 began to show some symptoms of the trouble, and then partially recovered. 



^- — K lived a mile south-west of B. He had only one stock, which became 

 seriously affected with Isle of Wight disease during the summer of 1914. . It 

 was destroyed in September 1914. 



In 1915 numerous outbreaks occurred farther afield from B's apiary. 

 There were several cases about 1^ to 2 miles north of B. Many of the stocks 

 had died out during the winter, and not from starvation as there was plenty 

 of honey in the combs. Those stocks which survived soon began to show the 

 ordinary symptoms of Isle of "Wight disease, and all died out. B's stocks, it 

 may be noted, were cleaned out and disinfection effected in 1913. 



On the south side of the Dee, opposite Drumoak, two cases were noted 

 in 1915. 



L. — L lived rather over 2 miles south-east of B's apiary, and owned six 

 hives and two ruskies. In June 1914, all were strong and apparently well, 

 but owing to the prevalence of Isle of Wight disease in the district, L was 

 warned to watch his bees carefully. No symptoms were recognised until 

 June 1915 ; all the stocks were then strong, but later they became seriously 

 affected and eventually died out before the end of the year. L dealt a good 

 deal in so-called " remedies." 



M. — M's apiary was 2 miles south of B. In May 1915, several of his 

 stocks were found to be affected. M was inclined to think the disease was 

 derived from some bees from Culter, which had been brought to the heather 

 near by, in August 1914, and which had died out while there. 



(2) Banchory -Ternan District. 



In this district the distance between the outbreaks has been greater than 

 in the others. 



N. — A case occurred at Crathes in June 1914. N's apiary lies about 

 three miles east of B. There were three stocks, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. The 

 following observations were made : — 



13th June. — A warm, bright day. There were numerous dead bees 

 outside the hives, and a great many unable to fly and crawling on the ground 

 all over the garden. No clustering was seen, and no old bees observed 

 crawling. The wings and abdomens appeared to be normal, but the bees 

 seemed weak. Stocks all seemed strong. 



15th June. — A fine day. Only a few bees were seen crawling, and very 

 few dead bees in front of the hives. Birds were seen to pick some up, and 

 possibly numbers may have disappeared in this way. 



