4? 



gradually dry down they take on a darker color and finally become a 

 dark brown scale on the lower wall of the cell. If a toothpick or match 

 stick is inserted in the decaying mass and slowly withdrawn, some of 

 the larvae remains adhered to it and are drawn out into a thread which 

 sometimes extend for two or three inches before breaking. This ropy 

 feature is one characteristic in diagnosing the disease. The decaying 

 larvae usually give off a penetrating odor similar to that of heated glue. 

 In severe outbreaks the larvae are attacked after being sealed. In such 

 cases, the cappings are frequently perforated and sunken. Scattered 

 sunken cells left after the healthy brood emerge together with the glue 

 pot odors are sufficient evidence of this disease. 



TREATMENT. 



The treatment of foul brood is very similar to "shook swarming," only 

 narrow strips of foundation are used instead of drawn comb or full 

 sheets in preparing the hive to receive the bees. The old hive is removed 

 a foot or two from its stand and the prepared hive placed in its stead. 

 The bees may either be shaken directly into the prepared hive, after 

 removing several frames from the center of the hive or place newspapers 

 in front of the hive and shake the bees on it and later burn the paper. 

 A third empty hive body should be provided to receive the combs after 

 the bees have been dislodged. It is essential to leave this tightly closed 

 in order to keep out the bees. After all the bees have been shaken, re- 

 place the frames with starter removed to make space for shaking. Close 

 the hive, contract the entrance and put a queen trap at the entrance to 

 prevent the queen from leaving the hive. Shaking treatment in the 

 open should be undertaken only when nectar is being gathered by the 

 bees. Otherwise operate under a tent of mosquito netting large enough 

 to permit easy movei:::ent of the operator. Some beekeepers prefer plac- 

 ing a frame of draws out comb or foundation in the center of the hive 

 and removing it twenty-four hours after treatment to secure all infested 

 honey the bees might have carried with them. 



If there Is a considerable amount of capped brood in the infected 

 combs it can be saved by placing the frames over a weak diseased colony. 

 This allows the young bees to go below as they emerge, thus strengthen- 

 ing the colony which should also be treated later. In case there is not 

 enough brood to justify saving, the combs should be carried away and 

 rendered as soon as possible by thorough boiling in hot water. Some- 

 times it is advisable to burn the comb, frames, ajid all materials, to pre- 

 vent spread of the contagion. 



If the honey is saved, it should be used in home consumption and 

 never sold. Never under any circumstances allow it to come in contact 

 with the bees. The hive bodies should be scorched until the wood is 

 charred. This can be done either with a painter's torch or stacking them 

 on top of each other and placing a quantity of straw or excelsior, in the 

 bottom, saturated with kerosene and ignited. After burning for a few 

 minutes place a cover over the top to smother the flames. 



