70 
On Rational Bee-Keeping. 
CHAPTER XIL 
DISEASES OF BEES-DEATH OF THE QUEEN- 
STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN THE LATTER CASE. 
As we have mentioned before, bees are some- 
times attacked with dysentery, both in winter 
and spring. It has been maintained that the 
cause of this complaint is the scarcity of pollen. 
This, however, is a mistake, seeing that many 
hives which contain plenty of pollen are thus 
attacked. It is really caused by the internal 
dampness of a hive, or by vitiated atmosphere. 
We have remarked that the best means of 
avoiding this complaint is to ventilate the hive, 
and we will add that it is important that the 
bees should be allowed free exit at all times. 
They should also be fed with syrup made from 
sugar and common French wine. This, however, 
should only be given in the spring, for in winter 
