Part I.] STATE INSPECTOR OF APIARIES. 145 



on records of 835 apiaries, there being in these 3,516 colonies, 

 fall count. In the spring of 1916 these apiaries had lost 882 

 colonies, or 25 per cent, the spring count being 2,634 colonies. 

 The winter loss among these apiaries, however, has been prac- 

 tically made up, the present count, as closely as can be ascer- 

 tained, being 3,504 colonies. 



For the winter of 1916-17 bees have gone into winter condi- 

 tions strong and well stored. Fortunately, with sugar at high 

 figures, it was not necessary to feed for winter stores to any 

 great extent. In apiaries where the colonies have been pro- 

 tected or carefully housed, as in the cellar, there should be a 

 slight mortality, barring, of course, disastrous climatic or dis- 

 ease conditions during the current winter. It may be recorded 

 that disaster or fatality of colonies suffering from Isle of Wight 

 disease, as experienced in England, is particularly a winter 

 mortality, and hence should this malady be found to occur in 

 this country, comparable disaster might be anticipated. As 

 yet, however, there is nothing which would particularly fore- 

 cast this winter mortality. 



Suggested Lines of Work for the Inspection Service. 



There are a number of lines of work suitable for the apiary 

 inspection service which may be proposed. Your secretary in 

 his report has already alluded to one, — the rearing of select 

 queen bees. He has also said that one of the most urgent 

 things for the success of Massachusetts agricultural develop- 

 ment is "capital." The apiary inspection service needs capital. 

 With the funds available the work can only be partially car- 

 ried on. Given additional capital, however, it would be quite 

 possible to increase the amount of inspection service, and at 

 the same time expand it along collateral lines. 



Wax Rendering. — Wax rendering for the beekeepers is car- 

 ried on at the Agricultural College, and vast quantities of raw 

 material are reduced to marketable form. Much, possibly 75 

 per cent, of this raw material would be destroyed by the bee- 

 keepers were it not for the rendering facilities offered. The 

 rendering of old combs in small quantities or in large quanti- 

 ties is a tiresome, dirty process, even when the beekeeper is 

 lucky enough to have sufficient equipment, which may cost 



