228 Twenty-Second Annual Repokt of the 



been a marked improvemnt in the packing and grading of New York apples. 

 On account of the establishment of standard grades they have been able to 

 sell to distant merchants in other states, in carlots, apples guaranteed under 

 the New York standards. One sale of seventy cars was made by this firm 

 this fall at prices f. o. b. shipping points. This grading law, therefore, has 

 increased the demand for New York apples by establishing standard and im- 

 proved grades. Other firms have done the same, thus widening the distribu- 

 tion of the sale of apples throughout the country; otherwise they would have 

 ben forced on the New York market at low prices. 



A firm that handles about five cars of New York apples per week states that 

 apple dealers, shippers and farmers find that the law is of great benefit, and 

 that it has improved conditions one thousand per cent. 



A firm in Philadelphia says that there is a greater demand for New York 

 apples than for Pennsylvania, Maryland or Virginia fruit, because of the 

 flavor. The firm believes the law a great benefit and that it has improved 

 conditions a great deal. It has no trouble in disposing of New York apples. 



BEE INSPECTION 



Bee inspection work consists of an attempt to control and eradi- 

 cate the brood diseases of bees. This work is done under an act 

 passed about twenty years ago, at a time when the eastern coun- 

 ties of the State were threatened with brood diseases to such an 

 extent that the industry of honey production was sadly reduced; 

 but at the present time little or no disease appears in the counties 

 where the diseases were most virulent. These diseases appear 

 from time to time, and the keepers of apiaries must be instructed 

 relative to the manipulation of these colonies ; but occasionally it is 

 necessary to have colonies destroyed to prevent the spread of dis- 

 ease in local communities. A system of quarantine regulation has 

 been adopted which, by order of the Commissioner, prevents the 

 selling of diseased colonies. 



One difficult feature in this work is the fact that beekeepers are 

 widely scattered over the State; the industry is not an extensive 

 one, and the homes of the beekeepers are often many miles from 

 convenient means of communication. 



Another duty of the inspectors is to attend various meetings 

 of the associations of the State, and impart such knowledge as they 

 possess relative to the art of beekeeping. 



The following is a summary of the work performed by the bee 

 inspectors during 1915. It is a satisfaction to report that there 

 is comparatively little brood disease in the State, and the crop of 

 honey produced was fully up to the ten-year average. 



