FODL-BBOOD. 449 



unnoticed previous infection, of an indefinite number of cells, 

 wliich contain sick or dead larv:«, or, if tlu- disease is just begin- 

 ning, by tlie presence, among tlie brood, of siclv or rotten larvas. 

 The larv:i3 die and rot either before or after sealing. It is only 

 when the disease has lasted for some time, that the cappings are 

 punctured, and that the brood has an otl'ensive odor. 



•' The spreading of brood in the Spring is not always caused 

 by fbul-brood. A defective queen, some old pollen in the cells, 

 etc., may also cause it. The brood may die (we do not say rot) 

 by other causes also, and we should regret to see our bee-keepers 

 become unduly frightened, and make a useless inspection of 

 all the brood in their hives, for such work is not an agree- 

 able pastime. But if foul-brood has already appeared in the 

 neighborhood, or in the Apiary, it is well to drive the bees from 

 the brood-combs and to inspect the latter with a scrutinizing eye. 

 We have sometimes diagnosticated foul-brood in hives which had 

 but two or three sick larvse, barely turning yellow. When the 

 disease has already spread, it strikes the eye. The brood is 

 shapeless, yellow, brown, black, and the cappings change color 

 and sink." — (Bertrand, Revue Internationale d' Apiculture.) 



791. Cure. Several methods of cure for foul-brood have 

 been given, with more or less successful results. Mr. D. A. 

 Jones, has written a small pamphlet, in which he gives his 

 method. He removes all the broodless combs, from the 

 infected colony, drives (473) or shakes the bees into a 

 box covered with wire-cloth, leaving enough bees in the 

 hive to take care of the brood, if it is worth saving ; and 

 puts the driven bees in a dark cellar for three to six days, 

 turning the box on its side so as to see the bees through 

 the wire-cloth. He keeps them tlius till he sees some of 

 them dying from starvation. Then, he puts them into a clean 

 hive, on comb-foundation, and feeds them with the honey 

 that has been removed from their combs, after having boiled 

 it with one-fifth of water. The bees that hatch from the 

 brood receive the same treatment before being returned to 

 their colonies ; all the combs are melted, and the hives, 

 frames, &c., are boiled for ten minutes before being used 

 again. Although Mr. Jones has been successful with this 

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