June, ’23] 
KUHN: FUMIGATING BUILDINGS 
323 
showed a total average loss of but 2.1 + % of their bee population, where¬ 
as the loss from equally populous colonies in hives having their fronts 
exposed was about 4%. The loss in the population of colonies wintered 
in single hive bodies ranged much higher. 
The disposal of moisture from the colonies may be effected almost entire¬ 
ly through the entrance, provided the bees are warmly packed. The 
only moldy combs found were in hives in which the frames hung to 
within % inch of the bottom board, affording a condition in which 
dead bees and refuse piled up against the combs. Colonies having ample 
stores and protection not only wintered better but began heavy breeding 
much more promptly at the opening of spring than those not so supplied. 
While the amount of data from this work is insufficient to permit the 
drawing of final conclusions, it nevertheless points oiit rather definitely 
some of the reasons for the loss of the bee population during winter and 
the requirements to prevent that loss. Further experiments should be 
undertaken and carefully prosecuted on a more intensive and extensive 
scale, so that as many as possible of these interacting variables might 
be considered simultaneously and the results treated as a unit rather 
than as isolated phases of the same great problem. 
FUMIGATION OF WASHINGTON BARRACKS AND ARMY WAR 
COLLEGE BY THE CHEMICAL WARFARE SERVICE 
By Harry A. Kuhn, ist Lieut., C. W. S., U. S. A. 
The Chemical Warfare Service, by the research and investigation 
incidental to its fundamental role of providing our nation protection 
against the possible use against our armed forces or our civilian popu¬ 
lation of chemical warfare agents by an unscrupulous enemy, is produc¬ 
ing by-products of great value to art, science and industry. 
In co-operation with government departments and scientific, industrial 
and educational organizations, it is making a distinct contribution to the 
beneficent use of scientific knowledge. 
The following report covers an incident in the work of developing a 
safe and more efficient method of ship fumigation. 
The cyanide compounds, owing to their ability to produce rapid in¬ 
capacitation and rapid death, were investigated quite extensively by 
the research organizations of the Chemical Warfare Service during the 
past World War. Hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride, cyanogen 
bromide, cyanogen sulphide, methylcyanoformate, powdered sodium 
cyanide and various other organic and inorganic compounds containing 
