654 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



BEIIAVIOB OF THE BEE. 



As a foundation for work on the behavior of the honey bee, a 

 study of the structure of the sense organs is being made. The results 

 so far indicate a wider distribution of such oi-gans than was pre- 

 viously known and will form a basis for experimental work on the 

 functions of the organs, now under way. Some preliminary experi- 

 ments were conducted during the summer of 1911. This work is 

 being done by Dr. N. E. Mclndoo. 



The behavior of bees in wax secretion and comb building has 

 received special attention, and the results indicate that bee keepers 

 and entomologists have entertained erroneous ideas concerning this 

 phase of bee activity. In connection with the uses of the various 

 parts of the legs a study was made of the methods of packing pollen. 

 This work was carried on by Dr. D. B. Casteel and is to be continued 

 during the summer of 1912. 



THE PRODUCTION OF COMB HONEY. 



Considerable attention has been given to the methods of producing 

 and marketing comb honey and the circumstances under which comb- 

 honey production is most profitable. Special attention has been given 

 to the problem of SM^arm prevention and control, since this is espe- 

 cially difficult under comb-honey conditions. The methods of some 

 of the leading comb-honey experts of the countiy have been studied. 

 The results of this work are incorporated in Farmers' Bulletin No. 

 503, by George S. Demuth. . 



WINTEBING. 



The winter of 1911-12 Avas one of the worst on record in the loss of 

 bees, and this has made it necessary and desirable to begin work on 

 the methods of wintering bees. A study of bees in cellars just before 

 their removal was made in New York, and special attention was given 

 to moisture and temperature of the cellars and the stores provided the 

 preceding autumn. This work will be continued. 



UNCLASSIFIED WORK. 



As always hap])ens, much work has been done in the chief branches 

 of the bureau which can not be classified. Investigations of nut 

 insects and insects injurious to ornamental plants and shade trees 

 have been continued. Correspondence on the subject of shade-tree 

 insects has been very great. There has also been a tremendous in- 

 terest in the subject of household insects, and many hundreds of 

 inquiries have been received. 



The unnoted and at the same time laborious and necessary work 

 of determining specimens for the entomologists of the different agri- 

 cultural experiment stations, of the agricultural colleges, and others, 

 has been continued and has occupied more or less of the time of a 

 number of the expert investigators connected with the bureau and 

 stationed at Washington. During the fiscal year nearly 35,000 speci- 

 mens were determined for outside persons. 



There have not been so many publications issued during the year 

 as during the previous fiscal year, partly owing to deficient funds. 



