APIARY INSPECTION 

 Thomas S. Leonard, Chief Inspector 



As only two inspectors worked actively through the summer of 1979 

 and the inspection program started through June with four inspectors, the 

 available statistics do not accurately reflect beekeeping in the state. 



It is a fact that there are over twice as many beekeepers and hives 

 as previously reported. It is also becoming apparent, through spot checks 

 and reports from individuals and county organizations, that the major bee 

 disease, American Foulbrood, is approaching 10 per cent. Most states 

 and professional beekeepers feel that a 1 per cent A.F.B. rate is manageable 

 and acceptable. 



The honey flow in 1979 was very good, and most bees went into the winter 

 in a strong condition. The strong hives coupled with the mild winter 

 contributed to excessive swarming this spring. Five towns contacted the 

 Division with complaints, with two taking the beekeeper to court. 

 There is no state policy on keeping bees, although the ability to work 

 with both the beekeeper and the town officials proved beneficial in resolving 

 these complaints. 



The value of honey bees as pollinators has long been recognized although 

 not properly acknowledged. Fruit set can be more than tripled with 

 one hive per acre on cranberry bogs and apple orchards. About 20,000 

 hives were ren-ted for fruit pollination in Massachusetts, at an average 

 of $23 per hive. 



Legislation providing for the registering of bee hives and the 

 certification of bee equipment and bees for sale within the State was again 

 defeated this year. 



The two major obstacles to the apiary program's development and 

 growth with the expanding Massachusetts beekeeping are: 



1. The recruitment of qualified inspectors. 



2. The lack of understanding and cooperation of the Legislature in 

 regard to a beekeeper's problems and needs. 



68 



