170 EXPEIIBIEXT STATION. [Jan. 



are in reality little more than gnesses, and it has seemed desir- 

 able to investii^atc the snbject more seientifically in order to de- 

 tennine their real efficiency. To do this with all wasps is of 

 course impossible, so a group of these insects widely distributed 

 in all parts of the covmtry has been selected for study. To clear 

 the way and establish a firm foundation for the work it has been 

 necessary to ascertain how many kinds are involved, and their 

 reliitive abundance in different localities, to be followed by a 

 determination of their fertility, the nature and amount of the 

 food they consume, their mortality and numerous other factors 

 which enter into the problem. Most of the preliminary work 

 on this project has now been completed, and considerable has 

 been accumulated on its other aspects. It is too soon to gen- 

 eralize on this subject, but it has already become evident that 

 these insects are decidedly beneficial because of their choice of 

 food material which is in most cases chosen from among our 

 worst pests. 



The results of experimentation on color vision in bees — an 

 Adams fund project in charge of the apiarist of the station — 

 are stated as follows : — 



While much liiuited in time nvailal)le for the several branches of bee- 

 keeping work this year, progress in experimentation on the color vision 

 of bees has been made. One supposition has been proven with relative 

 satisfaction. An instrument for counting has been {le\'ised and rela- 

 tively perfected. A foreign work which applies to the prol)lem has 

 been translated. Correlated exjieriments have given and are giving good 

 results. 



So far as opportunity has offered, studies on the distribution 

 of our worst pests in the State have been continued and the 

 results tabulated for future reference. 



Other work of the department is more fully detailed elsewhere 

 in this report under the titles, " Tests of Insecticides," " Ex- 

 periments for the Control of the Onion jMaggot " and " Ingect 

 Becord for 1912 in j\rassachusetts." 



