No. 123.] STATE INSPECTOR OF APIARIES. 61 



of Essex County, where this disease has been very destructive 

 in recent years. As it had been impossible to inspect in this 

 locality since 1916, the disease had gained some headway. 

 The time spent here by the inspector was of great advantage, 

 as the inspection of 1920 showed but 1 case of American foul 

 brood remaining in this section. 



But few colonies were treated or destroyed by the inspectors 

 as a result of the failure of the ow^ners to do so. Demonstra- 

 tional treatments and assistance in treatments were given in 

 cases where it seemed desirable. 



Educational Work. 

 This work consisted chiefly of exhibits of bees, bee products 

 and beekeeping materials. At the winter meeting of the De- 

 partment of Agriculture in Horticultural Hall, Boston, an ex- 

 hibit was prepared and shown by Deputy Inspector O. F. 

 Fuller. Other exhibits w^ere made by Dr. Burton N. Gates 

 at the following places: New England Fair, Worcester; Eastern 

 States Exposition, Springfield; Franklin County Fair, Green- 

 field; Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden Fair, Northampton; 

 New England Fruit Show, Providence, Rhode Island. 



Puhlication. 

 But one publication was issued, the Ninth Annual Report 

 of the State Inspector of Apiaries for the Year 1918, by Dr. 

 Burton N. Gates. 



Winter Losses, 1919-20. 



The prospect of a large winter loss in the winter of 1919-20 

 was apparent at the beginning of the season. The long period 

 of wet weather during late summer and early fall prevented 

 the bees from laying up the required stores for the coming 

 winter. The sugar supply was limited, and while the eft'orts 

 of the Department secured a small quantity for beekeepers, 

 only a small proportion of the necessary quantity could be ob- 

 tained. The unusually severe winter augmented the loss. 



Statistics collected, covering a total of 2,812 colonies of bees 

 which were living in the fall of 1919, showed that only 1,390 

 survived. This gives a total winter loss of 1,422 colonies, or 

 slightly more than 50 per cent. 



