36 
BULLETIN 780, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
PUTREFACTION AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. 
In Table XVI are summarized experiments in which the putrefac- 
tive processes took place at room temperature. 
Table XVI. — Resistance of Nosema apis to putrefaction at room temperature. 
Date of inoculation. 
Period of 
putrefac- 
tion. 
Result s of inoculation. 
July 28, 1915. 
July 21, 1915. 
July 28, 1915. 
Sept. 29, 1914 
July 1,1915.. 
Aug. 20, 1914 
Days. 
12 
18 
25 
34 
40 
52 
Nosema infection produced. 
No infection produced. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
From Table XVI it is seen that Nosema apis at room temperature 
resisted the putrefactive processes for about two weeks. As the 
room temperature varies it is to be expected that the time required 
for the destruction of the parasite will vary also. 
PUTREFACTION AT OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE. 
The following table summarizes experiments that indicate the 
period Nosema apis resists putrefaction at outdoor temperature: 
Table XVII. — Resistance of Nosema apis to putrefaction at outdoor temperature. 
Date of inoculation. 
Period of 
putrefac- 
tion. 
Results of inoculation. 
July 26, 1916. 
July 27, 1916. 
July 28, 1916. 
July 29, 1916. 
Aug. 31, 1916 
Sept. 2, 1916. 
Sept. 6, 1916. 
Aug. 26, 1916 
Sept. 2, 1916. 
Days. 
Nosema infection produced. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
In the experiments recorded in Table XVII it will be observed that 
Nosema apis was not destroyed in the presence of putrefactive changes 
at outdoor temperature in 22 days. 
At refrigerator temperature the parasite has resisted putrefaction 
for more than three months. 
The foregoing experiments relative to the effect of putrefactive 
processes on Nosema apis show that the parasite may be destroyed as 
a result of putrefaction. They show also that the temperature of the 
suspension is a factor in determining the period of resistance. Further- 
more, it is seen that the germ resists the destructive processes accom- 
panying putrefaction longer than those accompanying fermentation. 
