DISEASES OF BEES. 93 



none of the bees from the diseased colony may enter. The 

 bees in the skep, or box, are to be put in a cool, dark place 

 for forty-eight hours without food. Remove all the combs, 

 both brood and store, from the diseased colony and at once 

 bum them. Next, by boiling, thoroughly disinfect hive, quilts, 

 frames, &c. When dry, fit up the frames with starters of 

 foundation only, and at the expiration of the two days' 

 imprisonment, return the bees to their clean hive and feed 

 them for a fortnight with medicated syrup. (See page 41.) 

 Preventive measures are taken as follow. Into each hive, 

 before covering up for winter, five or six pieces of napthaline 

 (obtainable at any drysalter's at 3d. or 4d. per pound), about 

 ^in. square, should be placed on the floor-board (do not leave 

 half the quantity in the hive during summer) ; and if there are 

 diseased colonies near, the bees should be fed — if feeding is 

 necessary — on medicated syrup. The ground should be dug in 

 for at least 6ft. around any hives that have contained diseased 

 colonies. All colonies should be kept as clean and dry as 

 possible at all times, whether disease is prevalent or not. On 

 no account use second-hand appliances unless you previously 

 boil them. Never feed honey to a healthy colony, unless you 

 know for certain that it is from a healthy colony or colonies. 



141. Cautions to be Bigridly Observed in Dealing 

 with Foul-Broody Stocks. — On no account handle a healthy 

 stock after manipulating one diseased before disinfecting the hands 

 with carbolic acid solution or carbolic soap. Prevent strange bees 

 from visiting diseased colonies by performing all manipulations 

 with the latter indoors or under a tent (see page 50). Do not allow 

 any portion of your clothes to touch, or become soiled with, the 

 honey of diseased colonies. Always roll up your sleeves, and 

 handle with bare arms. Wear, if possible, a linen or calico overall, 

 and remove this when finished. Never place bees in a hive that 

 has been tenanted by a diseased colony, unless it has been 

 thoroughly saturated with strong carbolic acid solution (preferably 

 hot), inside and outside. Destroy by burning all quilts and 

 frames, as these can be replaced at a very moderate outlay. Keep 

 entrances close when robbing is rife. In the present condition of 

 knowledge relating to the cure of "foul brood," we should 

 strongly advise the entire destruction of a single colony, hives and 

 all, where such is found among a number of healthy colonies, a? 

 " prevention is better than cure." While the apiarist is doctoring 

 this one colony others may become diseased. 



142. Disinfection of Hives with Bromine. — The Rev. 

 G. W. Bancys method is as follows : Stop up ventilators and 

 all crevices opening to the air with clay. Remove the roof 



