292 LAWS THAT CONCERN THE BEE-KEEPER 



LAWS FOR C02sTK0L OF BEE DISEASE 



Although other animal diseases have been subject to regula- 

 tion by law for many years, laws relating to bee diseases are of 

 comparatively recent date. Wisconsin was the first State to pass 

 foul brood laws giving one inspector statewide authority. In the 

 year 1897 a law was passed providing for the inspection of bees 

 and prohibiting the sale of infected colonies or appliances. N. 

 E. France was appointed inspector and has served continuously 

 since that date. Prior to this time California adoj)ted the 

 county system. At present more than half of the States have 

 laws regTilating bee diseases and providing for inspection. Xew 

 States are added to the list every biennial period at the meeting 

 of the various Legislatures, and apparently but a few years will 

 elapse until every State has made some such provision. The 

 tendency is to enact cumbersome statutes in the beginning which 

 set out in detail the method of procedure under every condition. 

 After being put to the test of actual service there is a tendency to 

 modify the laws and leave something to tlie judgment of the in- 

 spector. To begin with, most laws require that the inspector be 

 notified by three persons of the supposed existence of foul brood 

 in a locality before he is compelled to investigate. Under such 

 conditions disease may become exceedingly prevalent before three 

 persons will notify the inspector. If a single notice is sufficient 

 a neighborhood may be cleaned up when the disease first makes 

 its apj>earance and many bees, as well as much expense, be saved. 



It should be borne in mind that elaborately drawn laws 

 rather tend to restrict the work of the inspector than to enlarge 

 his opportunities for dealing wdth a serious condition. If the 

 law is greatly extended to outline the various conditions which 

 he is supposed to meet he will be restricted to such powers and 

 duties as are expressly granted in the statute. On the other 

 hand, if his office and duties are created and defined in a short 

 general statute he will be free to meet such situations as arise. 



The New York law has been on the statute books since 1902 

 and a somewhat similar law several years previous to that time. 



Bee inspection in that State is carried on under direction of 



