496 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



some provision should be made for the publication of the annual 

 reports, for in no other way, perhaps, can as much be accom- 

 plished looking toward the general betterment of an industry 

 than the judicious dissemination of printed matter. Among the 

 objects of the association as announced in its printed matter may 

 be mentioned : To assist in checking the spread of bee diseases, 

 to spread information concerning improved methods of produc- 

 tion, to assist its members in marketing their crops, to secure 

 recognition of the industry at state and county fairs, to instruct 

 its members in their legal rights and to assist when necessary 

 in securing them; to inform the public as to the value of honey 

 as food, of the importance of the business of honey production 

 and the value of bees to other crops, and to elevate the business 

 of bee keeping to a place of eminence among agricultural activ- 

 ities. 



The membership fee is only fifty cents per year payable to the 

 secretary. The association is affiliated with the national organi- 

 zation of the same name and one dollar additional secures mem- 

 bership in the national association and the official organ, "The 

 Bee Keepers' Eeview." Officers for 1915 are: 



President — C. E. Bartholomew, Ames. 

 Vice President — B. T. Bleasdale, Des Moines. 

 Secretary-Treasurer — S. "W. Snyder, Center Point. 

 Directors — A. P. Chamberlain, Des Moines; "W. S. Pangburn, 

 Center Junction ; J. W. Stine, Stockport. 

 Attorney — Russell E. Ostrus, Des Moines. 



SUMMARY OF THE SEASON'S WORK. 



The state has been divided into four districts. Prof. C. E. Bar- 

 tholmew of Ames had charge of the northeastern district. As 

 before mentioned he was greatly hindered in his work by illness 

 and death of relatives. The southeastern district has been in 

 charge of J. W. Stine, now of Stockport. While the drouth and 

 consequent unfavorable conditions have interfered with the 

 work all over the state, conditions have been particularly un- 

 favorable in the southeastern district. There is great need of 

 work the coming season in both of the eastern districts. In the 

 northwestern district B. A. Aldrich has made good progress, for 

 the disease conditions are not so widely scattered as further east. 



