142 Summary of Agricultural Experiments, [may, 
8. In winter and early spring, when bees are often attacked, 
the walls, combs, and alighting board are frequently soiled 
by the bees. This seldom if ever takes place in the summer. 
Although it is not certain what is the direct cause of this 
disease it can be distinguished from some of the other 
diseases to which bees are liable. Thus, in cases of Bee 
Paralysis, the hinder part (abdomen) of the bees is dis- 
coloured and blackish. The bees tremble and the wings 
are bent up in a way that is not the same as the distortion 
visible in Isle of Wight Disease. In cases of "May Pest" 
both young and old bees are affected, and their bodies are 
covered with a light grey dust. In cases of Dysentery the 
bees soil the combs as in Isle of Wight Disease, but the 
droppings are dark and muddy, and not of the yellow colour 
that is usual in the present disease. A course of treatment 
for all these diseases is given in the text-books on bee- 
keeping. 
SUMMARY OF AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTS* 
Field Crops. 
Seed Potatoes of Different Sizes (Field Expts. in Staffs and Salop 
and at Harper Adams Agric. Coll., Joint Report, 1910). — The opinion 
is held by some growers that in the case of Langworthy and potatoes 
of a similar type large sets should be used, and that though this is 
a kidney potato and therefore does not sprout freely, it is preferable 
to cut ware rather than plant seed size. In order to test the point, 
Langworthy potatoes of the following sizes were obtained from Scot- 
land : — (1) Seed size, between ij and \\ inch riddles; (2) large ware 
size, over 2\ inch riddles ; (3) ware size, between \\ and 2 inch riddles. 
The manner in which the seed was planted and the crops which 
were obtained were as follows : — 
Weight Crop 
of seed of ware 
per acre. per acre. 
lb. tons cwt. 
Seed size 1,200 8 4 
Large ware (cut) ... ... 3,360 10 12 
Ware (cut) 1,440 10 19 
Ware (whole) 3,040 10 I 
It will be seen that the best result was obtained, both in yield per 
acre and in return per lb. of seed planted, by cut ware at the rate of 
1,440 lb. per acre. 
* A summary of all reports on agricultural experiments and investigations 
recently received will be given each month. The Board are anxious to obtain 
For inclusion copies of reports on inquiries, whether carried out by agricultural 
colleges, societies, or private persons. 
