GUAM AGRICULTURAL r.XPERIMENT STATION. 41 



warrant any positive conclusions regarding the disease. About one- 

 third of the chicks of these flocks were badly affected with diph- 

 theritic roup, and it is, therefore, difficult to decide as to just what 

 extent the parasite was responsible for the diseased condition present 

 and whether it was in any case the direct cause of fatalities. The 

 worm can at least be held responsible for producing an inflammation 

 of the eye which makes the fowl an easier prey to diphtheritic roup. 



EXTERNAL PARASITES OF POULTRY. 



Three external chicken parasites have been found on this island, 

 namely, two species of lice, Menopon pallidum, and Goniocotes gigas, 

 and one species of mite, Dermanyssus gallince. 



APICULTTJRAL NOTES. 



By P. NelsIon. 



An abundance of pollen for brood rearing and a satisfactory flow 

 of nectar marked the year just passed as a very satisfactory one from 

 the beekeeper's standpoint. The farmer of Guam has to contend 

 with many pests and diseases afi^ecting his crops and live stock, but 

 fortunately, diseases affecting honeybees, such as American and 

 European foul brood, are unknown here. Although the dragon fly 

 is plentiful on the island, it does not appear to prey upon bees, as 

 in some parts of Florida and Australia, where these flies have worked 

 havoc with the beekeeping industry, forcing many beekeepers to move 

 their apiaries to other localities. This island is overrun with ants, 

 but this pest does not seem to be very troublesome to the honeybee 

 so long as good, strong colonies are maintained, and it is not neces- 

 sary to place the hives on specially constructed stands to keep ants 

 from coming into contact with the hives. 



A small shed, 7 by 16 feet, with galvanized iron roof, was con- 

 structed early in the year in order to shelter the hives from the 

 heavy rains and intense sun. Hives manufactured in the United 

 States from soft woods deteriorate rapidly in this humid climate if 

 not well painted and protected from the weather. A two-frame 

 automatic extractor, a queen-rearing outfit, and several additional 

 hives have been added to the station equipment during the year. 



In an endeavor to develop beekeeping and to interest the younger 

 generation, the governor of Guam has taken preliminary steps to 

 have beekeeping introduced as a study in connection with the school 

 garden work, and has authorized the purchase of a supply of hives 

 and equipment. This station furnished the department of educa- 

 tion with four nuclei. From these the school colonies are to be in- 

 creased until sufficient numbers are on hand to supply all of the 

 schools in the outlying districts. 



