248 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



similar to that carried on in North Carolina, but special attention has 

 been given to the organization of county societies of beekeepers. 

 During the year a railroad in the State ran a special bee, poultry, and 

 marketing train for three weeks. The State beekeepers' association 

 has been strengthened by this activity, and the prospect of making 

 beekeeping an important branch of agriculture in Tennessee is bright. 

 The regular extension work in beekeeping thus far has been con- 

 fined to the Southern States. In this section 45 per cent of the bees 

 in the United States are located, but probably 80 per cent are in log 

 " gums " or box hives and relatively few of the commercial beekeepers 

 operate on an extensive scale. These States produce less than 20 

 per cent of the honey crop. It was thought best to carry on the 

 work only in this region so long as the amount available for the 

 work was small. Men have been sent from the office into certain 

 Northern and Western States during the year for somewhat similar 

 work. A few of the Northern States are doing a little extension 

 work in beekeeping by utilizing the men who teach beekeeping in the 

 agricultural colleges. Another series of beekeepers' conventions was 

 attended during the year. 



War emergency w^ork. — The shortage in the food supply, and 

 especially the shortage of sugar, makes it highly desirable that honey 

 production be increased as rapidly as possible. When war was de- 

 clared all research activities of the office were suspended temporarily 

 and a vigorous campaign was instituted to stimulate beekeepers to 

 increase honey production. In cooperation with the States Relations 

 Service circulars were sent to every county agent in the country for 

 distribution. Two circulars were sent at different times to each 

 honey-crop reporter of the Bureau of Crop Estimates. Circular let- 

 ters were mailed to individual beekeepers in 16 of the chief produc- 

 ing States, to various associations, and to lists of dealers.in supplies. 

 A large number of circulars have been used in connection with 

 general correspondence. The first campaign was closed on June 1, 

 because after that date a beekeeper usually can not change his plans 

 for the year materially. The total number of circulars issued between 

 the time war was declared and June 1 was 152,280. of which several 

 were of two or three pages. During June no new^ circulars were 

 issued but the envelopes were addressed for a number of additional 

 States in anticipation of a circularizing campaign in July. 



The response of beekeepers to the circulars has been striking. This 

 is shown by the letters received since the work began. The replies 

 have been most enthusiastic, and this is roughly indicated by the fact 

 that the incoming mail during May and June was fully fifteen times 

 as heavy as at any similar period. 



In addition to the direct stimulation, several press notices were 

 issued. The bee journals have cooperated enthusiastically in this 

 campaign, and it is believed that th»re are few beekeepers in the 

 United States who have not been made aware of the need for more 

 honey. 



An interesting feature of the campaign was a conference held at 

 the Drummond, Md.^ laboratory on April 23. Invitations were sent 

 to editors of bee journals, manufacturers of beekeepers' supplies, 

 teachers of beekeeping^ and inspectors east of the Mississippi Eiver. 

 The purpose of the conference was to coordinate the work of those 



