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ket where an inspection is made of all quarantined products consigned to 

 points outside of the infested area. This quarantine is operative from 

 June 1st to December 31st. 



Apiary Inspection 



The activities of the inspection season commenced in May, as nor- 

 mally. Those employed as Deputy Inspectors were: 



Mr. Fred Challet, Northampton (Connecticut Valley). 



Mr. Charles N. Ellis, Westwood (South of Boston). 



Mr. Benjamin A. Hildreth, Sherborn (Worcester County and north of 

 Boston). 



Mr. Ivan Rawson, Pittsfield (Berkshire County). 



Mr. H. L. Walton, Worcester (Worcester and Middlesex Counties). 



Mr. Edwards Thorne, Worcester (Worcester County, occasional 

 service). 



(Localities covered by the inspectors have been indicated in parenthesis). 



Mr. Walton was appointed for the first time this year. Burton N. Gates, 

 Worcester, was Inspector of Apiaries, devoting part time. The Deputies 

 likewise were on temporary appointment and served part time. 



In Berkshire County a noticeable freedom from disease was found by 

 Mr. Rawson, who visited all sections where infection might be expected 

 to be found. It is reported too, that along the New York State border 

 in that State, brood diseases have also largely disappeared. It is pos- 

 sible that they still persist at the junction of the Massachusetts-Vermont- 

 New York lines. It is in this northwestern corner of Massachusetts, that 

 the noticeable infection of Berkshire county was found in 1926. Even 

 here the deputy inspector, Mr. Rawson, does not consider it serious. 

 However, an attempt to eradicate in this district is proposed for 1927. 



Deputy Inspector, Mr. Challet, found unusually little infection in the 

 Connecticut Valley. These three counties were thoroughly examined and 

 only scattering, isolated cases were discovered. The freedom from disease 

 is quite as significant as in Berkshire County and will be followed up 

 closely in 1927. The cases in these counties may be considered sporadic; 

 hence, there appears to remain no persistent foci of infection in this 

 region. 



In Worcester County, the general condition appeared good and prob- 

 ably improved, although there was still considerable scattered infection. 

 Relatively fewer diseased colonies were found in a given apiary or town, 

 than heretofore. This suggests that the improvement, while slower than 

 in the region west of the county, is nevertheless quite evident. It is hoped 

 that still further improvement will be recorded in 1927. The diseases 

 found were both American foulbrood and European foulbrood, the latter 

 predominating. A few cases of sacbrood were found. 



East of Worcester County, the situation remained largely unaltered, 

 although the foci of 1925, in Essex and Middlesex Counties, showed 

 marked improvement in 1926. Some of the foci south of Boston showed 

 improvement also, although American foulbrood in this region seems to 

 have a firm grip. Vigorous steps are planned for 1927. 



Late in the season an isolated apiary in Barnstable County was dis- 

 covered to have American foulbrood. It may be that the disease came 

 from without the State with the colonies when purchased. The apiary 

 concerned is isolated and there is only one other within miles. Both of 

 these are held under strict observation until spring will permit examina- 

 tions. It is possible that Barnstable County, which heretofore has had 

 very few colonies, may have developed a focus of infection. 



A movement on the part of the State of Rhode Island for increased 

 apiary inspection is being fostered. It is proposed to co-operate with 

 that State, if funds for inspection are successfully procured and an in- 

 spector is appointed in Rhode Island. It is proposed to have a Massachu- 



