April, '08] JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 105 



proved manipulations and by getting bee keepers in touch with per- 

 sons who can give them information which may be desired. This 

 need is felt in the apicultural work of the Bureau of Entomology. 

 To spread information concerning new results obtained in our own 

 investigations, or those of others, it is very desirable that there be 

 some person nearer to the bee keeper who can give out the informa- 

 tion. At present, in the majority of cases, our only means of reach- 

 ing the persons whom we aim to assist is by direct communication or 

 through the bee journals. If the official entomologists took more in- 

 terest in apicultural work, we feel that it would bring new work 

 nearer to the honey producer, even if no new investigation were un- 

 dertaken by the entomologist himself. For this reason, it is earnestly 

 desired that in the insect work in each state, apiculture may have a 

 part. 



As far as the apicultural work of the Bureau of Entomology is con- 

 cerned, it is requested that material be sent in to aid in the investi- 

 gation of bee diseases. An effort is being made to learn the geo- 

 graphical distribution of the two diseases, so that this information may 

 be available in sending out publications to the bee keepers in infected 

 regions. The same information would be valuable in trying to have 

 new inspection laws passed. We now get many samples from bee 

 keepers direct, but need many more, and the assistance of official en- 

 tomologists will be greatly appreciated. 



This paper brought out considerable discussion. In reply to a 

 number of questions, Mr. Phillips stated that the diseases of bees have 

 spread to a far greater extent than was supposed, and that he is 

 particularly anxious to obtain samples from suspected hives from 

 entomologists and bee keepers throughout the country. The best 

 time to inspect apiaries is during the summer months, and all hives in 

 a state should be examined. He called attention to the ignorance of 

 some of the inspectors now doing this work. In one of the western 

 states his attention had been directed to an inspector who examined 

 the honeycomb by piercing it with an awl. The same instrument was 

 used throughout the district, without disinfection, and in this way the 

 disease had become generally established. 



Mr. Britton remarked that a law providing for the inspection of 

 apiaries is pending in Connecticut and Mr. Washburn stated that in 

 Minnesota some of the leading bee keepers desired him to take charge 

 of this work, but he had considered it inadvisable to do so. 



Mr. Bruner called attention to the habit in Nebraska of desiring 



