236 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The development of the bee. — Studies of the development of the 

 honeybee have been carried on for some time, and a study of the 

 anatomy of the bee larva is now being made. The results of the 

 work on the development in the egg have been published as a private 

 publication. The rate of growth of the larva and the changes oc- 

 curring day by day are being studied. 



Diseases of bees. — Work on the diseases of bees, both in the larval 

 and adult stages, has been continued during the year. A paper giv- 

 ing details of the work on sacbrood was prepared. The examination 

 of samples of suspected brood, sent in by beekeepers from all parts 

 of the United States, has been continued, and this phase of the work 

 is playing a more important part every year in the control of the 

 brood diseases. An unusually large number of samples of diseased 

 adult bees have been received, but in most cases it has not been pos- 

 sible to diagnose such samples, pending the completion of further 

 investigations. The results of the examination of samples of brood 

 have shown several new outbreaks of brood diseases during the year, 

 and of these the State apiary inspectors have been notified at once. 



Survey of beekeeping. — On October 1, 1915, a survey of beekeep- 

 ing conditions in North Carolina was begun, the field work closing 

 at the end of December. The object of this preliminary survey was 

 primarily to learn to what extent demonstration work in beekeeping 

 will be profitable. It was learned that in North Carolina, which is 

 typical of southern conditions, there is much need for extension 

 work in beekeeping and that the beekeepers are eager for information 

 concerning modern beekeeping methods and apparatus. A large 

 number of field demonstrations were conducted, addresses were given 

 in schoolhouses and elsewhere, and many individual beekeepers were 

 visited and advised. In all cases the work was done in close coopera- 

 tion with the county agricultural agents. The results were so prom- 

 ising, and the interest so keen, that the work will be conducted as 

 an extension project during the present fiscal year, and it is planned 

 to have three field men engaged in the work. 



In addition to trying various extension methods as applied to bee- 

 keeping instruction, a survey of the beekeeping possibilities of North 

 Carolina was made, and a bulletin prepared. A brief circular of in- 

 formation especially applicable to North Carolina conditions was 

 also prepared, and this is to be issued by the extension division of 

 North Carolina. It is believed that great good will come to the bee- 

 keeping industry when the extension work is established, and the 

 bulletins prepared will serve to stimulate interest in the project. 



Somewhat allied to the extension work was the holding of a series 

 of 11 meetings of beekeepers' associations in November and Decem- 

 ber of 1915, attended by the Apiculturist. In December an important 

 conference of teachers, inspectors, and demonstrators in bee-culture 

 was held in Columbus, Ohio, the purpose of which was to discuss 

 the best methods of conducting educational work in beekeeping. 

 Other field meetings of beekeepers have been attended by various 

 members of the office in an effort to make known the results of the 

 investigations of the office. 



