1916.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 33a 



has been undertaken. This is of a highly technical research 

 character, the object in view being to determine the causes and 

 if possible the methods of prevention of some of the more 

 serious bee diseases. European foul brood is the one at present 

 receiving most attention. 



One bulletin has been issued by the department during the 

 year, namely, Bulletin 163, "Bacillary White Diarrhea in 

 Young Chicks in Massachusetts." Investigation has shown 

 that white diarrhea is found in practically all parts of the 

 State. The proportionate losses in different districts vary con- 

 siderably, but in the aggregate the losses from this disease are 

 very serious. The disease is carried by means of eggs from 

 unsound stock, through the purchase of day-old chicks or of 

 infected mature stock. The bulletin urges that poultry keepers 

 co-operate with the station in the effort to free our flocks from 

 this infection. 



Department of Agricultural Economics. 



Two main lines of investigation have engaged attention in 

 this department: nameh, agricultural insurance and the produc- 

 tion, storage and distribution of onions. 



The study of agricultural insurance has consisted mainly in 

 inquiries to determine the extent to which such insurance is 

 offered, the cost of such insurance and the general conditions 

 and results. There appear to be only two types of agricultural 

 insurance practiced in New England, namely, live stock insur- 

 ance and insurance of the tobacco crop against damage by hail. 

 Live stock insurance is confined to the insurance of race horse 

 stock and exhibition stock when shipped to shows. The pre- 

 mium rate is about 10 per cent., which is excessively high, and 

 it is not surprising that inquiry discloses the fact that such 

 insurance is not at all general. The rate of insurance of to- 

 bacco against damage by hail is about 5 per cent. Such insur- 

 ance is by no means general, but is considerably practiced, 

 with results which seem in general to be satisfactory. 



The investigations in connection with the production, storage 

 and distribution of onions indicate that the cost of production 

 and marketing appears to be about 36 to 40 cents per bushel. 

 The average acre yield in 1914 was about 480 bushels. Of the 



