42. Chap. 42.-The Maladies Of Bees, And The Remedies For Them.

CHAP. 42.—THE MALADIES OF BEES, AND THE REMEDIES FOR THEM.

The greatest care, too, should be taken to keep the cornel[1] at a distance from the hives: for if the bees once taste the blossoms of it, they will speedily die of flux and looseness. The best remedy in such case is to give them sorb apples beaten up with honey, or else human urine or that of oxen, or pomegranate seeds moistened with Aminean[2] wine. It is a very good plan, too, to plant broom about the hives, the bees being extremely fond of the blossoms.

1. See B. xv. c. 31. Fée is inclined to doubt the correctness of the assertion here made by Pliny.

2. See B. xiv. c. 5. The remedies for the diseases of bees in modern times are of a very similar nature, but attention is equally paid to the proper ventilation of the hives.