APIARY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1248, 30 January 1896, Page 6

APIARY.

FOUL BROODJN- BEES. Foul brood, about which so much has lately been written, and for the extinction of which there is every probability of an act being passed, is a subject, to beekeepers at any rate, of more than ordinary import In fact, it may be said, without exaggeration, that the very existence of the industry depends upon means being adopted at no distant date to deal with the disease, and also with those persons who, by carelessness or otherwise, spread it, in such a manner as will confine it to areas where it now exists, until ib is finally extinguished. The British Beekeepers' Association are striving hard to make the industry a real benefit to the agriculturist, and it is to be hoped that ere lcng the passing of an act will be the crowning point of their labours in this direction. WHAT IS FOUL BROOD? Experts, while on their rounds among the members of the various beekeepers' associations, are continually finding fresh cases, to the consternation, in most cases, of the apiarist. It appears evident that in the majority of cases where fresh outbreaks occur little or nothing is known by these bee keepers of the disease, or that, if unchecked, it quickly spreads havoc and devastation in the apiaries around. The disease affects bee life in all its stages, but, its presence being quickly apparent by the result of its attack on the brood, it lias since first noticed been known as foul brood. It is duo to the propagation of a bacillus, named by the late Mr Cheshire bacillus alvei, which, when the nutrient, matter upon which i fteds is plentiful, multiplies at an amazingly rapid rate; hence the importance of cheeking (he disease in the early stage when the stock is first attacked.

HOW DETECTED

Continual interference with the brood-chamber is to-be deprecated, but an occasional inspection of the combs is advisable in all districts, but particularly in those where the dkea«e is known to exist. The grubs that issue from the eggs three days after they have been deposited in the cells by the queen are, when healthy, pearly white, but as soon as they are attacked by the bacillus alvei they become discoloured and die, gradually rotting away until only a dark coffee-coloured putrid mass is found at the bottoms of the cells. This putrid matter will at first be found of a stringy nature, though in course of time it dries up until little is left at the bottom of the cell. Sometimes the grubs are not attacked until just before they are sealed over by the bees. Then, instead of the brood cannings presenting the

ance so familiar to the apiarist, they are sunken and pierced with irregular holes. This description should enable anyone to detect with certainty foal brood, and prevent it being confustd with chilled brood—that is, brood killed by cold, which does not turn into a putrid stringy mass.—Agricultural Gazette.