Proceed! Ncs, 1914. 



We are very seriously threatened all along the luternational Boiintlary-liue. for In 

 many parts of the . State of Washington, to the south, foul-brixxl is ramijaut. 

 isiiecially in the Seattle and Taconia districts. Every dead cedar-tree is a possible 

 home for a swarm, and so we must look forward to the time, and that not very f.ir 

 distant, when the trouble will reach British Columbia by the dead cedar niutc. 

 I have seen at least a hundred bee ti'ees in my territory, so I am led to expect that 

 there are mure wild bee colonies than those under control in the valley of the Lower 

 Fraser. Since man has but little influence over bees in trees, a long wearisome 

 tijiht will have to be waged while the increasing population is clearing the land. 



The danger from infested honey is ever imminent, for every jar of imported 

 honey is a jwssible menace. I am in hopes that in a few years this particular form 

 will be materially lessened, as the Bee Inspectors, in giving instruction in apiculture, 

 have materially brought about an increase in the honey-production. It is now 

 evident that there is in e.^isteuce at the present time in British Columbia sufficient 

 hives of bees to produce as much honey as we import, provided all of them are as 

 intelligently managed as are the most efficient. There has been a widespread 

 opinion among bee-keepers that our Province was not a good honey country, but 

 the Inspectors have beeu able to devise methods for each lo&ility, so that the more 

 eiiterprising men have got enough of a honey-crop to encourage them to put more 

 time into the study of apiculture, feeling that the monetary returns will more than 

 .justif.v the effort. 



After all has been said and done, the most efficient corps of Foul-brood Inspectors 

 will ultimately consist of efficient and successful bee-keepers. To produce these is 

 the chief aim of the B(^ Inspectors of the Trovinee of British Columbia at the 

 present time. 



The President : Yon have heard this very interesting paper by Mr. Todd. It 

 is to be regretted that he v(-as unable to be present with us to-day to say these things 

 in ]ierson. However, if there are any present who would like to say a few words 

 on the subject, I am sure we would be glad to hear them, 



Mr. Treherne: It is unfortunate Mr. Todd, in his paper, has not beeu more 

 delinite in his reports of the foul-brood cases. I presume he refers to the Ixiwer 

 Fraser A'alley alone. 



Mr. Robinson: I am sorry ilr. Todd is not present also, as I would like to ask 

 .some questions. 



Mr. Day: I notice Mr. Todd was a little indefinite in reporting the occurrence 

 of foul-brood in the Province. Are there any specific ca.ses determined and rcporte<l 

 in British Columbia? 



Mr. Robinson: For myself, I do not know whether any exist or not. Two 

 supposed C'ases occurred at Vernon la.st year. Our official reports on the subject 

 are too vague for correct diagnosis. 



Mr. Treherne: To what extent does American fonl-brooTl occur in the State 

 of Washington? 



Mr. Robinson: I have no records with me. but I fancy llicre is (luite a good 

 deal of it. 



Mr. Day: And it can be carried by bees in Hight? 



Mr. Robinson: Certainly. 



Mr. Treherne: How- close is it to the border? 



Mr. Robin.son : We do not know. 1 would like to sa.w in discussion on Mr. 

 Todd's paper, that in my opinion the present quarantine regulations which force 

 bees to be held for ninety days at the border is not only not humane, but not an 

 efhcient safeguard to the Province. The bees will die from worry or from starvation, 

 and the danger of an infected colony confined at the border Is no guarantee that the 

 disease is held in bounds. For a complete .safeguard I would like to see a complete 

 and efficient quarantine against all imported bees and bee products of the hive. 

 Honey is one of the prime causes of infection and distribution of fonl-brood. and the 



