140 
Isle of Wight Bee Disease. 
[may, 
able, not only for their own growth, but for that of species 
planted with it. In middle Europe the chief are the acacia 
and grey alder, the first on sandy soil, the second on chalky 
soil. 
Applications of turf and other material containing humus, 
especially dried turf, have given very satisfactory results 
under unfavourable conditions. By this method pines are 
either planted in pits, which are filled up with a mixture of 
humus and sand, or these materials are placed in trenches 
between the trees of the existing crop. In the first case cover- 
ing with small twigs, lupin haulm, potato tops, and similar 
waste material works well in the first year. Another method 
of manuring is to mix with the pine those species which shed 
a large quantity of needles, such as Pinus rigida and Pinus 
montana. About the tenth year the common pine should 
overtake and suppress the species mixed with it, but by this 
time the canopy should be complete. 
The use of other nitrogenous manures, such as nitrate of 
soda, &c, is, in ordinary circumstances, out of the question, 
but their use may sometimes be justified on plantations five 
to ten years old w 7 hich for some reason or other are not 
growing well. Such an application of nitrogenous manures 
causes an excessive growth of weeds, which necessitate con- 
siderable attention to the young crop. 
For some years past an epidemic disease has attacked bees 
in the Isle of Wight, and has since reached the mainland, 
where it appears to be spreading. The 
Isle of Wight epidemic has been under investigation 
Bee Disease.* for some time by the Board of Agricul- 
ture an'd Fisheries, but though a good 
deal of information has been accumulated and some progress 
made with the study of the disease, it is not yet possible to 
say definitely what is the originating cause of the disease, 
or how it may be checked, or even prevented. The investi- 
gation, however, is being continued, and it is hoped that 
eventually a remedy will be found. 
In the meantime, it is important that bee-keepers should 
* This note is now being issued as a leaflet (No. 253), and copies may be 
obtained on application to the Secretary, Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 
Whitehall Place, London, S.W. 
