198 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



The Legislature of 1913 appropriated |5,000.00 for apiary inspec- 

 tion for two years. Because of a shortage of State funds the amount 

 was later cut to |1,000, or only five hundred dollars per year. Apiary 

 inspection was then an assured fact in Pennsylvania beekeeping. 



In 1913 and 1914 the worli was pushed in the best manner pos- 

 sible, consistent with the limited funds. As many foul brood in- 

 fected areas in as many counties as possible were investigated, and 

 help given. Thorough inspection of the bees in each area visited 

 was not possible without using the funds too much in one place. 

 Neither was a second visit possible, with a few exceptions. The 

 wisdom of the policy of making a small appropriation do the most 

 good for the greatest number of beekeepers may be seen by a perusal 

 of this report and consideration of the results obtained. 



Practical instruction for treating diseased bees were given. In 

 some cases badly infected colonies were burned". Old moth-eaten 

 combs on which bees had died, were either burned or instructions 

 given how to melt them and make wax. Old box hives and rubbish 

 about the apiaries were ordered burned. In general, a "clean up" 

 campaign was waged. In all cases the co-operation and fellowship 

 of the beekeeper was sought, and usually won. This is an important 

 point in all inspection work. Instructions in modern methods of 

 beekeeping were given. 



Where possible to do so without extra expense, demonstrations 

 were made. In one notable instance, in a badly infected area, an 

 apiary of more than thirty colonies, with the exception of three, had 

 died with American foul brood. This yard had been neglected by 

 the owner, because of sickness and old age, and undoubtedlyxwas the 

 source of infection for the bees of that neighborhood. Two of the 

 living colonies were taken and treated by a neighbor. A huge bon- 

 fire was made of the whole thing, including the one remaining and 

 nearly dead colon3^ A small gathering of beekeepers were present 

 with a press reporter and a photographer. 



In many places beekeepers were shown how to transfer their bees 

 from the old boxes to modern hives and were shown the manipula- 

 tions necessary for the proper treating of diseased bees. 



The decided advantage of beekeepers co-operating in the fight with 

 foul brood was demonstrated in one town. Practically every apiary 

 in the vicinity was found to be diseased with American foul brood. 

 The beekeepers employed one of their number, who knew how, to 

 take the lead. They all helped. A "Bee-Shaking bee" was made of 

 it. Going from one yard to another, in rapid succession, they shook 

 all the diseased colonies in several yards in one day, and did a good 

 job of it. In some apiaries that meant every colony in them. 

 Some cases recurred, yet but little disease showed up the next sum- 

 mer. These were promptly cared for by the beekeepers without 

 State help. This plan was carried out at the suggestion of the in- 

 spector who visited that area in 1913. One man failed to follow in- 

 structions. Fortunately for other beekeepers he was isolated sev- 

 eral miles. He had lost about two hundred colonies with American 

 foul brood in 1911 and 1912. At the time that his yard was inspected 

 in 1913 he had but forty-five badly infected colonies left. These he 

 failed to treat as instructed. His bees are all now dead but two that 

 will hardly live over winter. Fortunately there are very few who 

 are as careless and indifferent as he. 



