416 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



related with the glycogen, fat, and nitrogen content of the larvae 

 and pupae, both in health and in disease. 



During the past fiscal year samples were again examined for bee- 

 keepers and apiary inspectors, and this is one of the most valuable 

 routine services rendered by the laboratory. During the year 1,029 

 samples of brood and adult bees were examined. 



Beekeeping regions or the United States. — Lack of funds has 

 prevented much work on this subject during the past year, although 

 there is great need for additional investigations. A considerable 

 amount of information on this subject constantly comes to the 

 laboratory from all sources and this is carefully catalogued for 

 future use, when more serious investigations become possible. 



Demonstrations in beekeeping. — The work on this project has 

 been still further decreased during the past year. During and im- 

 mediately following the war there was such a demand for this work 

 that the time and funds of this office were largely directed toward 

 the education of practical beekeepers. Gradually this work has been 

 turned over to the several States and at present the bureau is co- 

 operating in this work in only three States. Arrangements are be- 

 ing made still further to curtail this support in the near future. No 

 marked change in the policies of this work has taken place during 

 the past year, emphasis still being gi\''en to the proper training of 

 those who desire to make beekeeping a major part of their work. 



The extension work begun by this office in various States has been 

 continued by the several States almost without exception, indicat- 

 ing that it fills' a real need in the promotion and development of 

 beekeeping in this country. With the present condition of the 

 honey market and the low prices obtained by beekeepers for their 

 products, beekeeping is in great need of proper encouragement in 

 order to continue the industry in the place which it attained during 

 and immediately after the war. No extension short courses for com- 

 mercial beekeepers were held during the past year. 



M1SCEI.LANE0US activities. — The correspondence of the office con- 

 tinues to be heavy. While the beekeepers of the country are con- 

 siderably discouraged at present because of low honey prices in the 

 general market, they are as a rule still caring for their bees as well 

 as formerly and are continuing to send inquiries to this office as 

 much as formerly. Part of the heavy correspondence of the office 

 arises froin the examination of samples of bees and diseased brood 

 of bees and from the examination of honeys for color. 



Mention should be made of the cordial cooperation received by 

 this office from other divisions of the department the work of which 

 concerns the beekeeper. The carbohydrate and microchemical 

 laboratories of the Bureau of Chemistry are both rendering valu- 

 able aid. Three offices of the Bureau of Agricultural Economics 

 are doing work of great benefit to beekeepers and the cooperation 

 with the extension offices of the department continues to be cordial 

 in the management of the decreasing amount of extension work 

 which this office is doing. From time to time various other offices 

 and bureaus must be called upon in the work of this division, and 

 in all cases the response is all that may be asked. Because of the 

 widely diversified nature of the work of this division, such coopera- 

 tive efforts are made vitally necessary, and it is extremely fortunate 

 that the beekeepers of the country may have the facilities of all 

 these divisions of the department at their disposal. 



