20 P.D. 123 



Apiary Inspection 



The freedom from diseases of the bees in Berkshire County and in the 

 Connecticut Valley, as detailed in the Annual Report for 1926, persisted 

 during 1927. This is most gratifying and encouraging. Thus it appears 

 that bee diseases west of Worcester County in Massachusetts have been 

 largely suppressed, and subjected to control at a negligible percentage 

 for a period of at least two years. The few cases found in 1927 in this 

 territory are entirely sporadic. There has been no further introduction 

 of disease in this territory, from sources without the State. This con- 

 tinued improvement in western Massachusetts, suggests that gradually 

 in eastern Massachusetts similar conditions will prevail. 



Conditions in Worcester County are somewhat improved, altho there 

 is no general freedom from disease. This suggests the advisability of a 

 concerted effort to crowd out disease, by beginning at the western line 

 of Worcester County and working eastward and south to the sea, an in- 

 tensive drive in purpose. This, however, would call for more radical 

 measures, and possibly the destruction of a greater number of diseased 

 colonies than it is now desirable to order destroyed. 



The legislation proposed and outlined in Rhode Island in 1926 was not 

 enacted, so that the cooperation between Massachusetts and Rhode Island 

 as outlined, has not yet become possible. Rhode Island still hopes for 

 legislation which will make this effective. The inspector has twice visited 

 Rhode Island, for the purpose of furthering this project. 



The box hive situation in Massachusetts continues to improve. As 

 heretofore stated, those who still maintain bees in box hives are largely 

 foreigners or persons quite unfamiliar with beekeeping. The percentage 

 is diminishing. The inspectors gradually convince these beekeepers, that 

 to maintain their bees in hives with removable frames, is to their advan- 

 tage. Consequently, today there are even fewer box hives than hereto- 

 fore, in most localities. 



During the past year, there have been no serious outbreaks of disease 

 in any part of the State. The sporadic outbreak at Provincetown has 

 been entirely suppressed. The persistence of American foulbrood is 

 noticeable, as it has been for some years past, especially in southeastern 

 Massachusetts. Particular attention, in ail cases of old apiaries where 

 American foulbrood is found, is being given to the general sanitary con- 

 ditions of such apiaries. Searches are made for stored combs. In this 

 way, old combs, which may have been diseased in years past, are gradu- 

 ally being destroyed or disinfected. Hence, the possibilities of a re-infec- 

 tion by the use of these old combs, and the perpetuation of disease from 

 cases which occurred years ago, is constantly less. 



The personnel of the inspection force for 1927 was as follows: 



Deputy Apiary Inspectors 

 Mr. Fred Challet, Northampton (Connecticut Valley) 

 Mr. F. S. Devereux, Green Harbor (Plymouth County and vicinity) 

 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) 

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

 Mr. Charles N. Ellis has signified his inability to serve in the coming 

 year. Mr. Devereux was first employed this season. Burton N. Gates of 

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

 were appointed temporarily and worked part time during the season. 



White Pine Blister Rust 

 Through error, it was stated in the 1926 report of this Division, that 

 the white pine blister rust was first found in Massachusetts in the year 

 1917. As a matter of record, the disease was found in the State in the 



