14 P.D. 123 



thru the identification of this insect as the probable chief carrier. It is known 

 to occur from northeastern Massachusetts along southern New England, southern 

 New York, northern New Jersey and into Pennsylvania, and is probably even 

 more widely distributed than the records show. The beetle is one-eighth to one- 

 tenth of an inch long, pitchy red in color. A full grown grub is one-eighth of 

 an inch long and whitish in color. The first brood of beetles in New England 

 are in flight and deposit their eggs the last of May and in June. The second 

 brood lay their eggs the last of August and early in September. Spraying 

 with arsenate of lead to protect the elms from various leaf feeders is beneficial 

 in controlling this pest in that certain leaf feeders which would weaken a tree 

 are destroyed by feeding on poison foliage. This spray if properly timed may 

 also kill some of the bark beetles. 



The fungus causes a ring-like or spotted brownish discoloration in the outer 

 ring of the sapwood. This disease cannot positively be identified without a 

 microscopic examination. Diseased elms should be destroyed at once since early 

 destruction of such trees may be the means of killing millions of beetles before 

 they have an opportunity to carry the disease to other elms. The wood from 

 the infected trees should be handled in such a manner as to prevent the spores 

 of the disease being carried to other trees. The fungus must not be allowed 

 to fruit or the beetles to escape. Cutting the trees six inches below the ground 

 and promptly burning all wood is advocated. Infected trees should be cut down 

 even though the infection appears only on a single limb. This point was illus- 

 trated in the case of an infected tree in New Jersey where the disease showed 

 only on a small branch. This branch was removed. Two weeks later several 

 additional branches showed the disease and before the season was over, the tree 

 died. It is known that this insect breeds normally in sickly and dying wood and 

 by taking advantage of this tendency and the early cutting and burning of the 

 same, it is possible to accomplish practical eradication of this can-ier. Naturally 

 the beetles are more apt to attack nearby trees, but under favorable conditions 

 a greater spread may be expected. "Work should be extended to a distance of 

 five miles from any place where diseased elms have been located. The best 

 time to scout for this disease is through the months of June and July, for during 

 this period the wilted and dying leaves are very noticeable. 



Apiary Inspection Work 



Active apiary inspection began in May, intensive work being carried on until 

 the middle of August. Thereafter, the work was largely a "follow-up" of dif- 

 ficult cases encountered earlier in the season. The reduced appropriation made 

 it impossible to extend inspection as was desired. No inspection was possible 

 in some parts of southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and in Essex County. 

 In other parts of the State, the area covered depended upon the conditions 

 prevailing, less work being required in certain areas west of Middlesex County 

 than in many of the towns east and south of that point. There were insistent 

 demands from the beekeepers for more inspection, which, with the limitations 

 of the inspection, due to lack of funds were considered Avith the Commissioner 

 of Agriculture. It was determined to request an additional $500 in the budget 

 for 1935. 



Bee disease conditions may be considered to be well under control in all areas 

 of the Commonwealth where active inspection has been possible. There have 

 been occasional outbreaks which might be expected, but these have been local 

 and have been readily brought under control as soon as they were discovered. 

 Were funds available, however, to enable the desired surveillance of areas pre- 

 viously freed from disease, these sporadic occurrences of American foulbrood 

 would be fewer and of very limited distribution. It was American foulbrood 

 with which the inspectors dealt almost exclusively, European foulbrood 

 continuing to be almost entirely absent from the State. Sacbrood, which is not 

 considered to be particularly disastrous to beekeeping and which is usually 

 limited to an occasional colony, was found to a small extent. The condition was 

 entirely normal. 



