DISEASES OF BEES 107 
or an excess of artificial pollen, when natural 
food is scarce, and especially to bar unsuitable 
food such as beet, raw or ill-conditioned sugar, 
and syrup. 
He is scrupulous concerning the cleanliness 
of the hives, and allows no accumulations of 
wax, dirt, dead bees, or the presence of 
decaying matter of any kind. Most particular 
is he, too, to see that the roofs are thoroughly 
watertight, for he knows that any leakage is 
bound to engender mildew in the quilts and 
consequent fermentation in the combs. He 
believes in prevention rather than cure, for he 
knows that the conditions of bee life tend to 
spread disease with lightning rapidity should 
it once get a hold in the hive. Its hundreds 
of inhabitants confined in such a small space, 
each possessing air organs which penetrate 
every part of its system, afford every advantage 
to the spread of microbic diseases. 
Should bees ever be seen vigorously fanning 
at the entrances to a hive without apparent 
cause, it is a sure sign there is something wrong, 
and examination should be made at once. 
Foul Brood.—This is the very worst scourge 
to which the bees are subject. It is a disease. 
that attacks the brood in the cells, and, as 
there are no young bees produced to take 
