August, '16] PETTIT: BEEKEEPING 411 



ments thej' wish to test. On receipt of the apphcation properly 

 filled out, the material for the experiment requested is sent, also a form 

 on which the results can be reported. These results are collected at 

 the end of the season, tabulated and summarized for a report. 



It will be seen that the educational value to the experimenter who 

 tests some successful method of management under our direction, is 

 even greater than the information gathered from his report, although 

 that has a real value as well. 



The Oppositiox of Beekeepers to Apicultural Education 

 This is met with to a limited extent from older men, the claims being : 



(a) That it will make more beekeepers and crowd the pasturage. 



(b) That the increased number of amateur beekeepers will increase 

 the disease menace. 



(c) That an increased production of honey will lower the price and 

 reduce the profits. 



These objections maj- be answered as follows: 



(a) Vast areas of bee pasturage are at present unoccupied. Anj^ 

 crowding which now occurs is due to the example of successful bee- 

 keepers. Instructors should carefulh' warn against over-stocking. 



(b)-Educated amateurs will reduce rather than increase the disease 

 menace. 



(c) An increased production with proper distribution and advertising 

 would so develop consumption of honey that it would become a staple 

 with advancing prices. Incidentally education would greatly lower the 

 cost of production. 



In Conclusion 



It is our business to study bees, their biology, psychology, activities 

 and products, and their relation to climate; also honey flora and 

 nectar secretion and their relation to climate and soils. Incidentally 

 we must study system, efficiency and economics. 



It is our business to transmit to the best of our ability the results of 

 these investigations, so that we may have the satisfaction of seeing, 

 if not two bees where one grew before, at least an increase in the sum of 

 enjoyment and profit in this most enjoyable of pursuits. 



BEE WORK AT THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



By F. W. L. Sladen, Apiarist, Central Expenmenlal Farm, Ottaioa 



In the Dominion Department of Agriculture bee culture experiments 

 were started in 1891 under the Division of Entomology and Botany 

 of the Experimental Farms Branch, with two colonies at the Experi- 



