652 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



more accurately the reported results of work on this subject and in 

 clearing up the confusion which has been so widespread among 

 students of bee diseases. 



The work on the diseases of adult bees has been instituted, espe- 

 cially in a study of the parasite Nosema apis. Information has been 

 obtained concerning its prevalence and distribution. This organism 

 is the one which certain European investigators have studied and 

 which is reijorted by them to be the cause of certain serious diseases 

 of adult bees. A field study of the condition known as bee paralysis 

 was made early in the spring in apiaries in Florida, where this is 

 re])orted as causing considerable losses. 



The work on the geographical distribution of the two brood dis- 

 eases — American foul brood and European foul brood — has been 

 continued, and during the fiscal year 1911-12 OHO samples were 

 examined, as against 1,054 for the year 1010-11. After the publica- 

 tion of Circular No. 138, giving data up to March 1, 1911, there were 

 received during the season of 1911 samples showing the existence of 

 American foul brood in IIG additional counties and European foul 

 brood in 71 additional counties. At the close of the season of 1911, 

 therefore, the records show^ed American foul brood in 410 counties 

 in 39 States and European foul brood in 236 counties in 25 States. 

 The work is to be continued during the summer of 1912. So far 

 special attention has been given to the Eastern and Northern States, 

 since the infectious diseases are most abundant there, but in view of 

 the fact that numerous isolated outbreaks are present in other parts 

 of tlie United States, an attempt is now being made to locate these. 

 Such information will be especially valuable to bee keepers in such 

 States wdio are interested in urging the passage of law^s providing for 

 inspection of apiaries, so that the diseases may be brought under con- 

 trol and the bee keepers educated in their treatment before the 

 situation becomes so bad as that in the older infected areas. 



The data obtained in the study of the distribution of the brood dis- 

 eases have been extensively utilized during the year in an educational 

 campaign. Warning cards were prej^ared and sent to about 60,000 bee 

 keepers whose names were obtained in counties where disease was known 

 to exist. At the same time press notices were sent out to the weekly 

 newspapers in the same territory, calling attention to the existence of 

 disease and suggesting methods of getting information on the subject. 

 Somewhat similar notices were sent to the agricultural papers. One 

 of the most important features of this work was the insertion of in- 

 formation on brood diseases in the catalogues of various dealers in 

 bee keepers' supplies. This was done at the suggestion of this bureau, 

 and in several cases copy was supplied, as well as cuts illustrating the 

 two diseases. In all, probably nearly a million catalogues were circu- 

 lated among the bee keepers of the country, calling their attention to 

 the existing conditions and giving directions for obtaining further 

 information and help. The results of these undertakings are being 

 shown clearly in the greatly increased number of special inquiries, 

 requests for bulletins, and samples of suspected brood sent for 

 examination. 



A special inquiry into the methods and results of apiary inspection 

 and the cost in various States has brought out some interesting data, 

 which will be incorporated in a bulletin to be issued in connection with 



