NOSEMA-DISEASE. 
33 
It is learned from the results recorded in Table XI that Nosema 
apis drying at refrigerator temperature remained virulent for seven 
months but that no disease was produced following inoculation with 
the material after seven and one-half months drying. 
From the results obtained in the experiments relative to the resist- 
ance of Nosema apis to drying, given in Tables VIII-XI, it will be 
observed that the period the parasite remained alive, or at least 
virulent, varied, depending upon the environment of the germ. The 
shortest period for the destruction of spores was obtained under 
incubator conditions, while the longest period occurred under refrig- 
erator conditions. The death probably was not due to the drying 
alone but to a combination of factors of which drying was an impor- 
tant one. 
RESISTANCE OF NOSEMA APIS TO FERMENTATION. 
Experiments have been made to obtain data relative to the resist- 
ance of Nosema apis to fermentative processes. In conducting the 
experiments suspensions of the crushed stomachs from Nosema- 
infected bees were made in a 10 per cent sugar (saccharose) solution 
and in a 20 per cent honey solution. These solutions were distributed 
in test tubes. Each tube contained infectious material equal to that 
present in the stomachs of from 5 to 10 infected bees. To each sus- 
pension was added a bit of soil to inoculate it further. Suspensions 
were allowed to ferment at incubator, room, outdoor, and refrigerator 
temperatures, respectively. At intervals reckoned in days the fer- 
menting suspension from a single tube was transferred to about one- 
half pint of sugar sirup and fed to a colony free from the infection. 
The results were then noted. 
FERMENTATION AT INCUBATOR TEMPERATURE. 
In Table XII are summarized some of the results that were obtained 
when a suspension of Nosema apis in a 20 per cent aqueous solution 
of honey was allowed to ferment at incubator temperature. 
Table XII. — Resistance of Nosema apis to fermentation in a honey solution. 
Date of inoculation. 
Results of inoculation. 
Julv 25, 1916 
July 26, 1916 
July 27, 1916 
July 28, 1915 
July 12, 1915 
July 15, 1916 
July 17, 1916 
Nosema infection produced. 
Do. 
No infection produced. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
