142 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



shortly after one of the lower branches of the tree had been 

 sprayed, a honeybee was seen to return, but left abruptly. 



Observations were made throughout the day at intervals and 

 also on the following day and days. Counts of bees observable 

 on the sprayed half of the tree were made. Immediately follow- 

 ing each count similar counts were made in the unsprayed half. 

 In no instance were there as many bees to be observed in the 

 sprayed portion as in the unsprayed portion, yet the total 

 which appears below, of bees observed, is not sufficient to be 

 of absolute significance. Apparently, too, after the first day 

 there was an increased number of bees in the sprayed portion, 

 although there was a seeming falling off" of the number of bees 

 in the unsprayed portion, a balancing which suggests the loss 

 of repellent powers in the sprayed portion and a decrease in 

 the general activity of the bees working linden; hence the ob- 

 servations may be questioned. Finally, on the third or fourth 

 day, scarcely a bee could be seen in any portion of the tree. 

 Examination of other European linden trees about the campus 

 showed comparable conditions. While somie of the trees were 

 in full bloom others had passed. Apparently honeybees were 

 not working all linden bloom as they do sometimes. 



To summarize, the following comparative observations are 

 presented: — 



« Table 2. — Results of Lime Sulphur as a Repellent. 

 In the sprayed half of the tree : — 

 15 honeybees. 

 Some wild bees. 

 1 milkweed butterfly. 

 Flies of various types numerous. 

 In the unsprayed half of the tree : — 

 53 honeybees. 

 Wild bees. 

 Flies numerous. 

 4 Bombus. 



The Municipal Use of Repellent Sprays. — One of the cities 

 in Massachusetts \\^hich is reported to have suffered a severe 

 loss among the bees — due, as it is alleged, to their having been 

 poisoned by sprays used particularly in forest and shade-tree 

 spraying — is Newton. Quoting from a letter, the writer 

 says: — 



