400 



Slaughtering of Young Calves. [aug., 



In some of the outbreaks of this disease investigated the 

 spores of Nosema apis have been found in enormous numbers 

 in the cells lining parts of the alimentary 

 Isle of Wight canals of the affected bees. These cells 

 Bee Disease. become completely disorganised and 



eventually the spores escape from- them 

 and are voided in great numbers in the excrement. Such 

 cases, which appear to be more frequently met with in the 

 spring, are undoubtedly due to infection with this parasite. 



In most of the outbreaks recently investigated few spores, 

 if any, have been found, but parasites, which are probably 

 young stages in the growth of Nosema apis, are usually 

 present in the cells lining the intestinal tract. 



It appears probable, therefore, that during the colder 

 months, when the bees show little activity, the parasites 

 grow^ and reach the spore stage before the bees succumb, 

 while during the warmer months the rapid multiplication 

 of the parasites often kills the bees before the spore stage 

 is reached. 



Experiments have proved that normal bees may be artifici- 

 ally so heavily infected lhat the intestinal cells are crowded 

 with spores. Infection may be produced in various ways : 

 (a) by feeding with spores, (b) by feeding with candy on 

 which infected bees had fed, (c) by mixing naturally infected 

 excrement w4th the food, (d) by confinement in a box in 

 which infected bees had travelled, and (e) by contact with 

 dead infected bees. 



The investigations and experiments which have been made 

 hitherto seem to indicate that the Isle of Wight disease is 

 due to infection with Nosema apis, but that the symptoms of 

 the disease and the growth of the parasite within the affected 

 bees are greatly influenced by various conditions. 



It has frequently been represented to the Board of Agri- 

 culture and Fisheries that the scarcity of store cattle is due 

 in no small measure to the excessive 

 Slaughtering of slaughtering of young calves. The 

 Young Calves. matter is of so much importance that 

 the Board think it desirable to publish 

 the following copies of letters which have recently passed 



