FOUL BROOD IN BEES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9132, 14 August 1888, Page 3

FOUL BROOD IN BEES.

TO THE editor. Sir, —It was thought, after the Codlin Moth Bill had been thrown out by the Legislative Council, that the Foul Brood Bill had been quietly allowed to drop ; but, from two letters that appeared in Saturday's Herald, it seems that such is not the case. Admitting that the writers of the letters referred to are well acquainted with the management of bees, their letters are eminently unsatisfactory so far as the outside public are concerned. The writers tell us nothing of the method that is intended to be taken to rid the country of foul brood. The vagrant habits of the bees in this country would render inspection an impossibility. The North Island is pretty well stocked already with wild bees ; but it may be said foul brood only attacks bees that are domesticated, or in hives. In that case might not the remedy be discovered by the beekeepers themselves? As the present plan of extracting the greater part of the honey, and thus leaving the working bees through want of proper sustenance weak, and unable to cope with their natural enemies, anything to do with it? Mr. Kendall's description of foul brood would seem to lead to that conclusion. If the 500 or thereabouts Beekeepers' Association appointed and paid for an inspector themselves, no one outside their own body would have a right to complain ; but when a bodv of men, such as the Beekeepers' Association, appeal to Parliament to pass a Bill, which means to draw on the public Treasury, then their plea is a fair subject for criticism, and must be a very weak one if it cannot bear the light. am, etc., Wm. Atkin. Tamaki West, August 13, 1888.