as "pickle brood," but these can usually be distinguished from the
two diseases previously mentioned. The so-called "pickle brood" is
not contagious and no treatment is necessary. Bees also suffer from
"dysentery," which is discussed in the earlier part of this bulletin, and
from the so-called "paralysis," a disease of adult bees. No treatment for
the latter disease can as yet be recommended as reliable. The sprinkling
of powdered sulphur on the top bars of frames or at the entrance is
sometimes claimed to be effective, but under what circumstances it is
beneficial is unknown.
A number of insects, birds, and mammals must be classed as enemies of
bees, but of these the two wax moths, and ants, are the only ones of
importance. There are two species of moth, the larger wax moth (_Galleria
mellonella_ L.), and the lesser wax moth (_Achroia grisella_ Fab.), the
larvæ of which destroy combs by burrowing through them.[3] Reports are
frequently received in the department that the larvæ of these moths
(usually the larger species) are destroying colonies of bees. It may be
stated positively that moths do not destroy strong, healthy colonies in
good hives, and if it is supposed that they are causing damage the bee
keeper should carefully study his colonies to see what other trouble
has weakened them enough for the moths to enter. Queenlessness, lack
of stores, or some such trouble may be the condition favorable to the
entrance of the pest, but a careful examination should be made of the
brood to see whether there is any evidence of disease. This is the
most frequent cause of the cases of moth depredation reported to this
department. Black bees are less capable of driving moth larvæ out, but,
even with these bees, strong colonies rarely allow them to remain. The
observance of the golden rule of beekeeping, "Keep all colonies strong,"
will solve the moth question unless disease appears.
[3] Bee keepers refer to these insects as "moths," "wax moths," "bee
moths," "millers," "wax worms," "honey moths," "moth worms," "moth
millers," and "grubs." The last six terms are not correct.
Moth larvæ often destroy combs stored outside the hive. To prevent this
the combs may be fumigated with sulphur fumes or bisulphid of carbon
in tiers of hives or in tight rooms. If bisulphid of carbon is used,
great care should be taken not to bring it near a flame, as it is highly
inflammable. Combs should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated, light room.
In the warmer parts of the country ants are often a serious pest. They
may enter the hive for protection against changes of temperature, or to
prey on the honey stores or the brood. The usual method of keeping them
out is to put the hive on a stand, the legs of which rest in vessels
containing water or creosote. Another method is to wrap a tape soaked in
corrosive sublimate around the bottom board.
=GENERAL INFORMATION.=
For the purpose of answering numerous questions which are asked of this
department the following brief topics are included.
=BREEDERS OF QUEENS.=
There are a large number of bee keepers who make a business of rearing
queens of good stock for sale. The queens are usually sent by mail. If
poor stock is all that can be obtained locally, it is recommended that
such colonies be purchased and the queens removed and replaced with
those obtained from a good breeder. This department can supply names of
breeders, nearest the applicant, of any race raised in this country.
=INTRODUCING QUEENS.=
When queens are shipped by mail they usually come in cages (fig. 25)
which can be used for introducing. If the colony to receive the new queen
has one, she must be removed and the cage inserted between the frames.
The small hole leading into the candy compartment is uncovered, and the
bees gradually eat through and release the queen. If queens are reared
at home, a similar cage may be used for introducing. In view of the fact
that disease may be transmitted in mailing cages, it is always a wise
precaution to remove the new queen and destroy the accompanying workers
and the cage and its contents. The queen may then be put into a clean
cage without worker bees, with candy known to be free from contamination
(made from honey from healthy hives), and introduced in the regular way.
Queens sold by breeders are always mated unless otherwise specified, and
consequently the colony in which they are introduced has no effect on her
offspring. During the active season the bees in the colony are all the
offspring of the new queen in about nine weeks. Three weeks is required
for the previous brood to emerge (if the colony has not been queenless).
and in six weeks after all the old brood emerges most of the workers from
it will have died. Queens are usually sold according to the following
classification:
"_Untested queen_"--one that has mated, but the race of the drone is not
known.
"_Tested queen_"--one that has mated and has been kept only long enough to
show, from the markings of her progeny, that she mated with a drone of
her own race.
"_Breeding queen_"--a tested queen which has shown points of superiority,
making her desirable for breeding purposes.
[Illustration: Fig. 25.--Queen mailing cage.]
=DEALERS IN BEE KEEPERS' SUPPLIES.=
There are several manufacturers of supplies in this country who can
furnish almost anything desired by the bee keeper. Some of them have
agents in various parts of the country from whom supplies may be
purchased, thus saving considerable in freight.
=BEE KEEPERS' ASSOCIATIONS.=
There are a large number of associations of bee keepers in all parts
of the country, formed for the betterment of the industry, and a few
associations which are organized to aid the members in purchasing
supplies and in selling the crops. Of these the National Bee Keepers"
Association is the largest. It helps its members in obtaining their
legal rights, and aids in securing legislation for the furtherance of
the industry. The annual conventions are held in different parts of the
country, and copies of the proceedings are sent to the members. There are
also numerous State, county, and town associations, some of which publish
proceedings. The names of officers of the nearest associations or of the
National Bee Keepers' Association will be sent from this department on
request.
=LAWS AFFECTING BEEKEEPING.=
=Disease inspection.=--Various States have passed laws providing for the
State or county inspection of apiaries for bee-disease control, and
every bee keeper should get in touch with an inspector when disease is
suspected, if one is provided. The inspectors are practical bee keepers
who fully understand how to control the diseases, and are of great help
in giving directions in this matter. The name of the inspector of any
locality can usually be furnished, and this department is glad to aid bee
keepers in reaching the proper officers.
=Laws against spraying fruit trees while in bloom.=--The spraying of fruit
trees while in bloom is not now advised by economic entomologists,
and to prevent the practice some States have passed laws making it a
misdemeanor. Such spraying not only kills off honey bees, causing a loss
to the bee keeper, but interferes with the proper pollination of the
blossoms and is thus a detriment to the fruit grower. Bee keepers should
do everything in their power to prevent the practice.
=Laws against the adulteration of honey.=--The national food and drugs act
of 1906, and various State pure food laws, are a great aid to the bee
keeper in preventing the sale of adulterated extracted honey as pure
honey. Bee keepers can often aid in this work by reporting to the proper
officials infringements of these laws which come to their notice.
=When bees are a nuisance.=--Some cities have passed ordinances prohibiting
the keeping of bees in certain areas, but so far none has been able to
enforce them. If bees are a nuisance in individual cases, the owner may
be compelled to remove them. The National Bee Keepers' Association "will
help any of its members in such cases, if they are in the right, as well
as in cases where bees sting horses. Bee keepers should be careful not to
locate bees where they can cause any trouble of this kind.
=SUPPOSED INJURY OF CROPS BY BEES.=
Bee keepers are often compelled to combat the idea that bees cause
damage to fruit or other crops by sucking the nectar from the flower.
This is not only untrue, but in many cases the bees are a great aid in
the pollination of the flowers, making a good crop possible. A more
frequent complaint is that bees puncture fruit and suck the juices. Bees
never puncture sound fruit, but if the skin is broken by some other
means bees will often suck the fruit dry. In doing it, however, they are
sucking fruit which is already damaged. These and similar charges against
the honey bee are prompted by a lack of information concerning their
activities. Bees may, of course, become a nuisance to others through
their stinging propensities, but bee keepers should not be criticized for
things which their bees do not do.
=JOURNALS AND BOOKS ON BEEKEEPING.=
The progressive bee keeper will find it to his profit to subscribe for at
least one journal devoted to beekeeping. Several of these are published
in the United States. The names and addresses of such journals may
usually be obtained from a subscription agent for periodicals, or from a
supply dealer.
It will also be advantageous to read and study books on beekeeping, of
which several are published in this country. These are advertised in
journals devoted to beekeeping, or may usually be obtained through the
local book dealer or through dealers in bee keepers' supplies.
=PUBLICATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ON BEE KEEPING.=[4]
[4] List revised to April 1, 1911. (VII.)
There are several publications of this department which are of interest
to bee keepers, and new ones are added from time to time in regard to the
different lines of investigation.
The following publications relating to bee culture, prepared in the
Bureau of Entomology, are for free distribution and may be obtained by
addressing the Secretary of Agriculture:[5]
[5] Farmers' Bulletin No. 59, "Bee Keeping," and Farmers' Bulletin No.
397, "Bees," have been superseded by Farmers' Bulletin No. 447.
Circular No. 79, "The Brood Diseases of Bees," has been superseded
by Farmers' Bulletin No. 442.
Bulletin No. 1, "The Honey Bee," has been discontinued.
Farmers' Bulletin No. 447, "Bees." By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D.
1911. 48 pp., 25 figs.
A general account of the management of bees.
Farmers' Bulletin No. 442, "The Treatment of Bee Diseases."
By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D. 1911. 22 pp., 7 figs.
This publication gives briefly the symptoms of the various bee
diseases, with directions for treatment.
Circular No. 94, "The Cause of American Foul Brood." By G. F. White,
Ph. D. 1907. 4 pp.
This publication contains a brief account of the Investigations which
demonstrated for the first time the cause of one of the brood diseases
of bees, American foul brood.
Circular No. 138. "The Occurrence of Bee Diseases in the United
States. (Preliminary Report.)" By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D. 1911.
25 pp.
A record of the localities from which samples of diseased brood were
received prior to March 1, 1911.
Bulletin No. 55, "The Rearing of Queen Bees." By E. F. Phillips,
Ph. D. 1905. 32 pp., 17 figs.
A general account of the methods used in queen rearing. Several methods
are given, so that the bee keeper may choose those best suited to his
individual needs.
Bulletin No. 70, "Report of the Meeting of Inspectors of Apiaries,
San Antonio, Tex., November 12, 1906." 1907. 79 pp., 1 plate.
Contains a brief history of bee-disease investigations, an account of
the relationship of bacteria to bee diseases, and a discussion of
treatment by various Inspectors of apiaries and other practical bee
keepers who are familiar with diseases of bees.
Bulletin No. 75, Part I, "Production and Care of Extracted Honey."
By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D. "Methods of Honey Testing for Bee Keepers."
By C. A. Browne, Ph. D. 1907. 18 pp.
The methods of producing extracted honey, with special reference to the
care of honey after it is taken from the bees, so that its value may
not be decreased by improper handling. The second portion of the
publication gives some simple tests for adulteration.
Bulletin No. 75, Part II, "Wax Moths and American Foul Brood."
By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D. 1907. Pp. 19-22, 3 plates.
An account of the behavior of the two species of wax moths on combs
containing American foul brood, showing that moths do not destroy the
disease-carrying scales.
Bulletin No. 75, Part III, "Bee Diseases in Massachusetts."
By Burton N. Gates. 1908. Pp. 23-32, map.
An account of the distribution of the brood diseases of bees in the
State, with brief directions for controlling them.
Bulletin No. 75, Part IV. "The Relation of the Etiologv (Cause) of
Bee Diseases to the Treatment." By G. F. White, Ph. D. 1908. Pp:
33-42.
The necessity for a knowledge of the cause of bee diseases before
rational treatment is possible is pointed out. The present state of
knowledge of the causes of disease is summarized.
Bulletin No. 75, Part V, "A Brief Survey of Hawaiian Bee Keeping."
By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D. 1909. Pp. 43-58, 6 plates.
An account of the beekeeping methods used in a tropical country and
a comparison with mainland conditions. Some new manipulations are
recommended.
Bulletin No 75, Part VI, "The Status of Apiculture in the United
States." By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D. 1909. Pp. 59-80.
A survey of present-day beekeeping in the United States, with
suggestions as to the work yet to be done before apiculture will have
reached its fullest development.
Bulletin No. 75, Part VII, "Bee Keeping in Massachusetts."
By Burton N. Gates. 1909. Pp. 81-109, 2 figs.
An account of a detailed study of the apicultural conditions in
Massachusetts. The object of this paper is to point out the actual
conditions and needs of beekeeping in New England.
Bulletin No. 75, Contents and Index. 1911. Pp. vii+111-123.
Bulletin No. 75, Parts I-VII, complete with Contents and Index. 1911.
Pp. viii+123.
Bulletin No. 98. "Historical Notes on the Causes of Bee Diseases."
By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D., and G. F. White, Ph. D., M. D. (In press.)
A summary of the various investigations concerning the etiology
(Cause) of bee diseases.
Technical Series, No. 14, "The Bacteria of the Apiary with Special
Reference to Bee Diseases." By G. F. White, Ph. D. 1906. 50 pp.
A study of the bacteria present in both the healthy and the diseased
colony, with special reference to the diseases of bees.
Technical Series No. 18, "The Anatomy of the Honey Bee."
By R. E. Snodgrass. 1910. 162 pp., 57 figs.
An account of the structure of the bee, with technical terms omitted
so far as possible. Practically all of the illustrations are new, and
the various parts are interpreted according to the best usage in
comparative anatomy of insects. A brief discussion of the physiology of
the various organs is included .
BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY.
Bulletin No. 110, "Chemical Analysis and Composition of American
Honeys." By C. A. Browne. Including "A Microscopical Study of
Honey Pollen." By W. J. Young. 1908. 93 pp., 1 fig., 6 plates.
A comprehensive study of the chemical composition of American honeys.
This publication is technical in nature and will perhaps be little
used by practical bee keepers, but it is an important contribution to
apicultural literature. By means of this work the detection of honey
adulteration is much aided.
HAWAII AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTAL STATION. HONOLULU, HAWAII.
Bulletin No. 17, "Hawaiian Honeys." By D. L. Van Dine and Alice R.
Thompson. 1908. 21 pp., 1 plate.
A study of the source and composition of the honeys of Hawaii.
The peculiar conditions found on these islands are dealt with.
Transcriber Note
Illustrations were moved so as not to split paragraphs.
End of Project Gutenberg's Farmers' Bulletin 447: Bees, by E. F. Phillips