10 Department Circular 284, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 



UQUIDS OF LOW SURFACE TENSION OTHER THAN ETHYL ALCOHOL 



The results of tests with these liquids are presented in Table 2. 

 Acetone gave indications of being a rather more efficient carrier than 

 those previously used, both in the proportions of 80 parts acetone 

 to 20 parts formalin, and even when diluted with water in the pro- 

 portions of 50 parts acetone to 30 parts water and 20 parts forma- 

 lin. Two series, one of 4 open and one of 4 sealed consecutive 

 combs, and one series of 9 sealed combs, showed no cells giving 

 growth of BaGilhts larvae, while each of three series of sealed 

 combs showed only 1 cell giving growth. Two short series were 

 tried with the use of smaller proportions of formalin, 15 parts and 

 10 parts, respectively, per 100 parts. These proportions proved 

 to be inefficient as germicides in both open and sealed cells. In the 

 light of later work, it seems possible that if more cells from each 

 comb had been examined a few' more positive cultures from sealed 

 cells might have been found; but iu comparison with other solu- 

 tions tested under the same procedure of cultural examination, ace- 

 tone gave about the best results as a carrier. The comparatively 

 high cost of acetone eliminates it as a substance that can be used 

 economically in apiary practice. 



The ketone solution previously mentioned was mixed with forma- 

 lin in the proportions of 80 parts ketone to 20 parts formalin. This 

 solution, as may be seen from the table, sterilized the open cells, 

 but was unsatisfactory in its action on scales in sealed ceUs. 



Table 2. — Cultural results of various tests with samples of comt) treated for ^8 

 hours in liquids of low surface tension, other tha/n ethyl alcohol 



' Few spores germinated. ' Three showed few spores germinated. ' Two showed few spores germinated. 



Iso-propyl alcohol, another liquid manufactured on a commer- 

 cial scale resembling ethyl alcohol in its physical properties, but too 



