Apiil, 1922 



Poison Problem 



Of Beekeepers 



By H. A. ScuLLEN 



^pecialtst in Bee Culture ^ Oregon Agricultural 



College 

 npmS IS OFFERED, not because the writer is 

 authority on the problem of spray poison 

 which has apparently destroyed so many bees in 

 the apple districts of Washington the past year 

 and previous years, but rather with the hope that 

 the readers of Better Fruit may, by observation 

 and study, assist in finding some solution for the 

 problem. 



That this is a problem which is of vital inter- 

 est to the fruit producer, as well as the honey pro- 

 ducer, need hardly be emphasized. Many of the 

 more important fruit districts of the states of 

 Washington, Oregon and Idaho are fast becoming 

 destitute of bees since the commercial beekeeper 

 is moving away, and the few isolated hives re- 

 maining are being killed off. In addition to 

 this, the various native wild bees, which assist to 

 some extent in pollination, are doubtless being 

 affected by the poison. 



In an effort to determine the extent of the 

 damage to the beekeepers and to learn, i f 

 possible, the source of the danger, a questionnaire 

 was sent to 392 beekeepers in the orchard districts 

 of Washington in 1919. Reports were received 

 from 107 beekeepers, who reported a total of 8490 

 colonies. Forty-seven beekeepers reported trouble 

 from spray poison. Their estimated financial loss 

 was $5,510 from colonies completely killed and 

 their estIm.Tted loss from the 1919 crop of honey 

 was $43,667 or a total of approximately $50,000. 



One very interesting fact brought out by the 

 question as to how far from sprayed orchards the 

 poisoned bees were located, was that out of 53 

 apiaries represented, 43 were one-h.ilf mile or less 

 from sprayed orchards. The greatest distance 

 poisoned bees were from sprayed orchards was two 

 miles. It was also of interest to note that several 

 uninjured apiaries were in or near sprayed orchards. 

 A further study of the management practiced in 

 such orchards may assist in finding a solution, in 

 part at least, of the problem. 



Replies from the questionnaire, as well as per- 

 sonal observations, have shown that a certain 

 amount of loss has resulted from both the calyx 

 spray and the second lead arsenic spray. Some 

 reports indicate that still later sprays have also 

 been serious with the bees. It is also important 

 to note that poisoning seems to occur both during 

 the nectar secretion and while there is a dearth 

 of nectar. There, therefore, seems to be three 

 possible sources of danger: (1) The bloom of the 

 applet (2) the bl<K)m of the clover crop and 

 other plants under the trees, such as dandelion, and 

 (3) the moist spr.ay on the foliage both of the 

 trees and underlying vegetation. 



There is some evidence that poison is being car- 

 ried into the hive on the pollen collected either 



BETTER FRUIT 



from the apple bloom or from the bloom of 

 vegetation under the trees. 



'yHE WASHINGTON Experiment Station is 

 now carr>'ing on experimental work with va- 

 rious repellents, and it is hoped that some substance 

 of practical value will be discovered as well as 

 other important means of eliminating the trouble. 



The symptoms of spray poison seem to be es- 

 pecially noticeable in the morning when the 

 nurse bees are seen crawling about over the 

 ground in front of the hive in considerable num- 

 bers, and in a more or less weakened condition. 

 Some report evidence of swelling and dysentery, 

 also. Many of the field bees doubtless die be- 

 fore reaching home. Since, however, it is a simple 

 matter to send samples to the Bee Culture Office 

 at Washington for analysis, minor symptoms 

 are less important. The brood is also affected 

 either by direct poisoning or by neglect due to 

 the loss of nurse bees or both. Some report the 

 loss of queens also. 



In view of our limited observations, only a 

 few general recommendations can be made: 



First. Commercial bee yards should be moved to 

 a distance greater than two miles from the or- 

 chard before spraying is started. This is ex- 

 pensive and should not be necessary. 



Second. Late applic.ition of calyx spray, giving 

 special attention to late and irregular blooming 

 varieties of apples. 



Third. A system of management for the cover 

 crop, which will not allow- heavy foliage or bloom- 

 ing under the trees during spraying. 



Fourth. When the poisoning occurs at a dearth 

 of nectar some of the danger might be averted by 

 feeding. Some have reported success bjr this 

 method. 



Fifth. The use of a repellent in the spray, such 

 as has been used in a limited way in Gipsy and 

 Brown-tail moth control in Massachusetts, has 

 been suggested. This method of control presents 

 several problems not the least of which is the in- 

 troduction of something into the spray which 

 would repel the bees, but not the moth larva. 



AAA 



/ have changed my address and I haz'e 

 surely missed Better Fruit. // is the 

 '(nly -pafer, and I think all feofle interested 

 in agricuhure or horticulture should not do 

 without it. — Charles H. Scheer, Idaho. 



Fruit trees budded from bearing orch- 

 ards. Apple. Pear, Ctienr. Peach. Plum. 

 Prune. Apricot. Quince. Grape Vines, 

 Shrubbery. Plants. Raapberries, Black- 

 berrtea. Logans. Dewberries. Asparagus, 

 Rhubarb. Flowering Shrtibs. Roses, 

 Vines, Hedge, Nut and .Shade Trees. 

 Carriage paid. Satisfaction guarantaed. 



WASHINGTON NURSER-y CO. 



ToppenlBh, Washingrtos. 



Salesmen everywhere. More wanted. 



Page Thirty-three 



QEORGE STRUCK has purchased for $17,000 

 the 40-acre bearing orchard of J. R. Nuna- 

 maker, in the Upper Valley, at Hood River. The 

 tract is considered one of the best in the Upper 

 Valley and is on the new trunk line of the Mount 

 Hood Loop Highway, near Parkdale. 



A RECENT report tells of establishment of a 

 new prune packing record at the Salem plant 

 of the Oregon Growers' Association. In eight 

 hours running time the plant packed out 3011 

 boxes of prunes, an average of 375 boxes an 

 hour. In filling a rush order the plant some 

 years ago packed out 3500 boxes In ten hours' 

 time. 



Advertisers appreciate It if you refer to Better 

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OUR SPECIALTIES ARE APPLES AND PEARS 



