234 EXi 'E Rl MENTAL FARMS 



2 GEORGE V.,. A. 1912 



Plant Bug (Lygus pratensis L.) attacked and was destructive to dahlias and carnations 

 in Victoria, B.C., also in Montague, P.E.I. Numerous inquiries were made con- 

 cerning the Grape Vine Leaf Hopper (Typhlocyba comes Say), which attacks the 

 grape vine and Virginian creeper, making the latter especially unsightly. It is a 

 small insect about one-eighth of an inch long and is frequently wrongly called 

 ' thrip ' by gardeners. The injuries are caused by the insect puncturing the leave3 

 and sucking the sap. The best eradicative measures are clearing away and burning 

 fallen leaves and debris in the fall to destroy the hibernating adults and spraying the 

 vines with kerosene emulsion soon after the leaves are fully developed. 



APICULTURE. 



It is gratifying to be able to report progress in this increasingly important sub- 

 ject. In three of the provinces, namely, Ontario (1906), Quebec (1908), and Britisli 

 Columbia (1911), legislation for the suppression of bee diseases now exists, and officers 

 are being appointed to assist in carrying out the objects of such legislation. The 

 Province of Ontario has a Provincial Apiarist, Mr. Morley Pettit, who is not only 

 carrying on excellent educational work at the Ontario Agricultural College, but is 

 endeavouring to place apiculture on the right basis. In Ontario it is estimated that 

 there are at least 5,000 bee-keepers with an aggregate number of 100,000 hives. Esti- 

 mates based on crop reports place the total amount of honey produced in the province 

 at 5,000,000 lbs. This, however, does not represent a fourth part of the amount of 

 honey produced in Ontario, which means that millions of pounds of honey are wasted 

 annually. 



Apiculture is not only important as a means of producing honey, but is an essen- 

 tial adjunct to fruit growing. No fruit grower should be without several hives of bees 

 at least, as their important function as cross-pollinators is well known, and it has 

 been repeatedly shown that their presence increases the amount of fruit produced. To 

 the farmer who grows alsike and alfalfa they are similarly essential, increasing the 

 amount of seed produced and also yielding honey of excellent quality; in some cases 

 alsike is a failure owing to the absence of bees. 



The most serious difficulty in the keeping of bees is the prevalence of two bee 

 diseases. These are known as American and European foul brood respectively, and 

 the legislation which exists has been enacted with a view to the prevention and control 

 of these diseases, both of which are possible. Bee-keepers whose bees show signs of 

 disease, such as the dying of the brood, the sinking and perforation of the cappings, 

 etc., should immediately communicate with the Department of Apiculture of the Pro- 

 vince in which they live or with this Division, to which samples of the diseased combs 

 should be sent properly packed in tin or wooden boxes which may be mailed free. 



The following advice is given for the benefit of those who contemplate keeping 

 bees : — 



Do not begin with too many colonies, one or two hives will be sufficient for the 

 first year. 



Obtain your bees from an apiary which is ' certified free from disease, other- 

 wise it may result in the introduction of disease into new localities. 



Have all your colonies in modern frame hives, and do' not buy colonies in box 

 hives unless they are to be transferred to frame hives. The Langstroth frame hive is 

 recommended as being the standard hive. 



The best time to purchase bees is during May, that is, before the honey flow 

 begins. 



It is advisable to consult a neighbouring bee-keeper of experience, if possible, 

 before purchasing the bees and necessary appliances. The benefit of his experience 

 will be of great value and may result in a reduction of the initial expense. 



