SIXTH ANNUAL KEPOKT OF THE STATE INSPECTOR OF 



.DIARIES. 



To tJie Honorable State Board of Agricidture. 



The close of the fiscal year of 1915 reveals an improvement 

 in apiary conditions and sanitation throughout ^Massachusetts. 

 AVhat is probably a deep-rooted infection in the southeastern 

 part of the State is being treated, and by the end of another 

 year should be relatively under control. Late in the season an 

 isolated report came from Cape Cod, and during the coming 

 season an infection may be found in that hitherto healthy dis- 

 trict. It is hoped that the report is without foundation, but if 

 an infection has occurred, it is probably through the purchase 

 of diseased stock. The probabilities are that its distribution is 

 limited. 



There has been but one change in the staff of the inspection 

 service. The following appointments as deputy apiary in- 

 spectors were ratified by the State Board of Agriculture June 

 9: O. F. Fuller, Blackstone, Edwards Thome, Worcester, and 

 Gladstone H. Cale, Middleton. Mr. Cale's appointment 

 filled the vacancy left by John Shaughnessy of Stockbridge, 

 who resigned June 5. This resignation unfortunately left 

 Berkshire County without a deputy inspector, but, as has 

 been previously reported, the subjugation of bee diseases in 

 that locality has been marked. 



A circular inquiring into the condition of apiaries was sent 

 to Berkshire County immediately after the receipt of ]\Ir. 

 Shaughnessj-'s resignation. A high percentage of returns was 

 received. They showed that the beekeepers had examined their 

 colonies, and in most instances found no trace of disease. This 

 letter of inquiry led to the discovery of a few suspicious cases 

 of disease, and enabled the office to attend to these at once. 



