116 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



to the last Legislature. Unfortunately, no increase was 

 granted. The inspector, however, renews this request, and 

 asks the State Board of Agriculture to approve the petition. 

 The request, moreover, is emphatically supported by the bee- 

 keepers. It should be borne in mind that we are working 

 toward a relatively disease-free State, which can be accom- 

 plished only by the most systematic and persistent efforts. 

 The inspectors should be encouraged in every way which will 

 make for efficiency. 



The Problem of Spray Poisons and Beekeeping. 



For several seasons past the inspector, as well as the secre- 

 tary of the State Board of Agriculture, has listened to alleged 

 losses of beekeepers through the injudicious use of spray 

 poisons. The alleged losses of bees from this cause are not 

 confined to Massachusetts. It has become an economic factor; 

 apparently one remedy would lie in proper educational propa- 

 ganda. At a series of legislative conferences held at the State 

 House, the beekeepers' societies have been represented, and 

 have decided to conduct an educational campaign to teach the 

 vital relation between the bee and fruit. A special appropria- 

 tion has been asked for, and, if procured, will be used under 

 the direction of your inspector. 



A previous report concerning the regulation of spraying 

 practices has been made.^ The writer has prepared a summary 

 of new data which have been collected by the inspectors and 

 from other sources. This is presented as Appendix I. of this 

 report. 



Miscellaneous Work. 

 Publications. — The publications of the United States De- 

 partment of Agriculture have been sent out or distributed in 

 large numbers, particularly those relating to bee diseases. 

 Some of the new publications of that department have been 

 sent to the entire mailing list, through the courtesy of Repre- 

 sentative F. H. Gillett. A new Farmers' Bulletin, No. 695, 

 entitled the "Outdoor Wintering of Bees," just issued, is about 

 to be mailed. 



> Apiaiy series, Bulletin No. 7, Appendix IL 



