Report of State Inspector of Apiaries. 55 



treatment more intelligently. By experimental work, I don't 

 mean that the inspector should take up scientific work in bacteri- 

 ology. It is the practical tests, by inoculation and otherwise, to 

 determine the nature of the trouble that we want, so that we may 

 know whether the disease under treatment in some certain locality 

 is contagious or not. 



Some careful investigations along the line of spraying during 

 fruit-blooms would also be of value, for many do not understand 

 the true relationship existing between bees and horticulture. 

 Many do not understand the value of the bee as a pollen distribu- 

 tor, a work that is probably worth more to humanity than the 

 crops of honey produced. Any work to educate the people along 

 these lines will be well taken up, for this neglected branch of agri- 

 culture is one of the undeveloped resources of the State, which 

 with the proper protection and encouragement will add largely to 

 the State's wealth. The crops of honey and wax that are annually 

 produced are worthy of our attention ; yet these crops could easily 

 be doubled, and that without increasing the present number of 

 bees, if every owner of bees would give them the care and manage- 

 ment they deserve. Then give this worthy cause the recognition 

 that it deserves, and let it grow and continue to bless mankind in 

 performing its double mission in life. 



For treatment of bee diseases, see monthly bulletin, Vol. VI, 

 No. 11. 



Respectfully submitted, 



M. E. Darby, 



State Apiary Inspector. 



QUEEN BEES 



