No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 21 



in checking this pest. It is evident that in order to exterminate 

 or control the European corn borer large appropriations must be 

 made available at once, and, as this is a national problem, the 

 expense should be borne by the Federal government. 



Apiary Inspection. 



In accordance with the recommendation in the annual report 

 for 1919, the apiary inspection was carried on by the nursery 

 inspection service. The work was conducted along, the same 

 general plan as in previous years, with the assistance of the 

 three deputy inspectors who had previously acted in this ca- 

 pacity. The Department also had the advantage of the serv- 

 ices of Dr. Burton N. Gates, former State Inspector of Apiaries, 

 whose advice was much appreciated, and who gave great aid to 

 the beekeepers in the distribution of sugar. 



The results of the inspection show a remarkably low loss dur- 

 ing the winter of 1918-19. The status of brood diseases shows 

 no appreciable change. The wet autumn and resulting lack of 

 stores, together with the shortage of sugar, do not promise an- 

 other winter for the bees comparable to the last. 



Dairy Division. 



The work of the Dairy Division has gone smoothly during the 

 year. Fewer violations of oleomargarine and renovated butter 

 laws have been found than for many years. The usual number 

 of investigations by agents has been made. 



Special investigations have been made regarding the condi- 

 tion of milk, cream and condensed milk as sold in various cities 

 and towns. In the milk investigations the beneficial results of 

 the Clean Milking Contest carried on by this Department for 

 several years are manifest. Usually condensed milk has been 

 found to be sold according to law. In cases where the law has 

 not been strictly complied with, the manufacturers have 

 promptly rectified the condition upon notice. Cream is fre- 

 quently found to be sold at prices not indicative of its fat con- 

 tent. Why light and medium cream should be sold at the same 

 price is not clear. To be sure overhead charges are the same, 

 but it seems hardly right to sell two qualities, one containing 

 double the amount of milk fat, at one and the same price. 



