186 STATE BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



KEPOllT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



President F. S. Kedzie: " ' 



Dear Sir — Following is a brief report of the work of the Department 

 of Entomology for the year ending June 30, 191G. 



The year just finished has passed without unusual development. Nine 

 regular courses have been given besides the courses in the summer school 

 — course five being repeated so that it runs throughout the year. Be- 

 sides these regular courses, there Avere two short-courses in Agriculture. 

 Also, instruction was given during the week known as "Bee-keepers' 

 Week" to a good sized class of bee-keepers from Michigan and other parts 

 of the U. S. and Canada. During the week of this school we were fortu- 

 nate in securing the aid of three experts, Prof. Morley F. Pettit of 

 Guelph, Provincial Apiarist of Ontario, Mr. Ira D, Bartlett of East Jor- 

 dan, and Mr. David liunning of Filion. During Round-up Week special 

 attention was given to apiculture, the department being aided by Mr. 

 Bartlett. 



The inspection of apiaries has gone on as heretofore and a number of 

 demonstrations in disease control have been held, but the efforts of one 

 man are inadequate. It is impossible to visit more than a part of the 

 apiaries where owners request advice in regard to disease, because one 

 man can not possibly get to more than a small percentage of the apiaries. 



Both American and European foul-brood are spreading over the State, 

 the owners of the apiaries simply being unable to cope with the disease, 

 because they are not familiar with the symptoms of the disease or with 

 the proper treatment. A change in the law providing for deputy inspect- 

 ors seems to be the only hope for the bee industry in our State. 



Besides the courses enumerated, three short courses were given during 

 the fall and Avinter, to students in general agriculture and in horti- 

 culture. 



On July first, 1915, Mr. Don B. Whelan commenced work as Exten- 

 sion Specialist in the control of insect pests; since that time Mr. Whe- 

 lan has devoted a little more than half his time to visiting places where 

 the need has arisen and in giving aid to the farmers, fruit growers, mill- 

 ers, nursei'y men, mushroom groAA^ers, market gardeners, and in* fact to 

 people of any calling Avho may be dependent on agriculture for a living. 

 His efforts have been met Avith appreciation and have resulted in bring- 

 ing the department and the College in still closer touch Avith the peo- 

 ple; furthermore, his visits have reminded many of our old friends of 

 our readiness to aid Avherever possible, besides directing many new 

 friends to us. 



Already the requests for aid and advice have increased as a result of 

 Mr. Whelan's activities, as Avell as through the medium of our county 

 agents. 



Respectfully submitted, 



R. H. PETTIT, 

 Professor of Entomology. 



East Lansing, Mich., June 30, 1916. 



