NINTH ANNUAL REPORT STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 91 



is a growing interest in beekeeping in Montana, and, although in 

 former years it was believed that our climate or other conditions 

 would probably not permit bees to do well it has been found by 

 actual experience that even in our higher mountain valleys there 

 is nothing to prevent a successful bee industry. It seems very clear, 

 therefore, that the industry may be made to become a very valuable 

 one to our people. It deserves stimulation in every way possible. 



FOUL BROOD AND WAX MOTH. 



Our first suspicion of the presence of a serious bee disease came 

 in March, 191 1, when Mr. AV. M. White, of Joliet, wrote us of 

 a disease in his apiary, which he took to be foul brood. Specimens 

 received a few days later proved to be a clear case of American 

 foul brood, which is the most serious of this class of troubles. Sub- 

 secjuent reports have indicated that the disease is probably present 

 over an extensive territory in that part of the State. Our corre- 

 spundence with Mr. White shows that it had been in his neigh- 

 borhood for some three years prior to 191 1. In correspondences 

 with the beekeepers of Montana it was learned that no disease 

 recognized as foul brood was present in the State, excepting in the 

 locality above mentioned. We were surprised, however, to learn 

 that the bee-moth or wax-moth is of very general occurrence. It 

 was reported from five different counties, besides Gallatin, where 

 we have known it to be present for several years. 



In a general way the losses from an epidemic of foul brood 

 are of two kinds; first, a direct loss through the killing of colonies, 

 reduction of the crop and prevention ot increase; and, Sv-cond. 

 a demoralizing influence on the whole busmess, reaching even 

 down to the manufacture and sale of beekeepers' supplies. It 

 may l)e stated that, where this disease starts in, it is liable to 

 almost completely wipe out the industry, especially in localities 

 like mr.r.y in Montana, where beekeeping is new and on a pie- 

 carious 1 asis. Taking the State as a whole, it would he most un- 

 fortunate if f(nil brood should gain much headway. It would take 

 years of time and much instruction and stimulatit)n to recover the 

 lost ground. 



From present indications in Montana and knowledge of the 

 experience of other states, we cannot expect the bee industry to 



