June, 1920 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



337 



number of diseased colonics among the 15 

 apiaries originally diseased had been reduc- 

 ed from 108 to 22. In other words, the first 

 treatment was 80 per cent efficient. 



As a contrast, the experience of seven 

 owners in the same locality who took no 

 action is of interest. Their apiaries in 1918 

 contained 98 colonies, of which 12 were dis- 

 eased. The following spring the total num- 

 ber of healthy colonies had become reduced 

 from 80 to 73 in one season, and the amount 

 of disease had nearly doubled. 



In Jefferson and Manitowoc counties, the 

 disease appeared in only two or three origi- 

 nally health}' apiaries during the two years' 

 campaign; but in Dane County where bee- 

 keepers are close together, the increase was 

 much more rapid. 



Our experience would cause us to recom- 

 mend dosti'uction of single diseased colonies 



In tliese neglt'ttcd liivcs lieliiiul a liafii Wisconsin 



apiarj' inspectors found an unsuspected infection 



center of foul brood. 



in most cases. As inspectors, however, we 

 destroy colonies only as a result of per- 

 sistent neglect or refusal to treat. In 1919 

 seven apiaries containing a total of about a 

 dozen colonies were burned by inspectors, 

 but the permission of the owners was se- 

 cured in every case but one. 



In treatment our greatest difficulty is to 

 prevent owners from saving the ' ' super- 

 comb" over diseased brood-chambers and 

 using it again. Several large apiaries have 

 retained the disease thru several successive 

 wholesale treatments by this means. How 

 beekeepers do love the old comb! 



Organization for Foul brood Eradication. 



A word as to organization. The State and 

 U. S. departments of agriculture and the 



College of Agriculture are co-operating in 

 })aying the salary and expenses of an apiary 

 inspector and field agent, H. L. McMurry, 

 who puts in full time on inspection work in 

 June, July, and August, part time in May 

 and September, and acts in an advisory and 

 educational capacity the remainder of the 

 year. From September to May his primary 

 attention is given to extension and organiza- 

 tion work under the College of Agriculture. 

 An average of five or six fnll-time state in- 

 spectors are employed for 10 or 12 weeks in 

 the summer to carry on the area clean-up 

 campaigns. 



Inspections for the sale and transportation 

 of bees are usually made by local inspectors 

 recommended by county associations and 

 appointed after civil-service examination. 

 About 30 of these will be available for 1920. 



A staff of between one and two hundred 

 volunteer co-operators is also being organiz- 

 ed to report sales or transportation of bees 

 and used bee-supplies and conditions in their 

 own neighborhoods. 



Wisconsin is in the foul-brood game to 

 win. We believe that we are on the right 

 track in combining area clean-up work and 

 restrictions on moving bees with educational 

 and organization activities. Police power is 

 applied thru the Madison office and by state 

 inspectors; local assistance is given by local 

 inspectors. 



If these methods fail to bring results, we 

 shall try others -until successful ones are 

 discovered. Present losses from foul brood 

 are appalling and compel us to adopt heroic 

 control measures. Fortunately, the work 

 has the backing of practically all the bee- 

 keepers, and this support is rapidly becom- 

 ing stronger. 



Madison, Wis. 



[It has been claimed that it is impossible 

 for a county association or any other group 

 of beekeepers to meet without at least some 

 reference being made to foul brood, and it 

 is little wonder that they are interested, for 

 the disease is every year gaining ground. 

 This does not mean that the two foul-brood 

 diseases cannot be greatly diminished in 

 this country, but it does mean that so far 

 the right methods have not been used. As 

 long as beekeepers attempt to meet the prob- 

 lem spasmodically and by merely treating 

 individual colonies, just so long will this 

 topic remain a live one among the beekeep- 

 ers. But as soon as beekeepers sufficiently 

 realize the seriousness of the disease, to or- 

 ganize efficiently for its eradication as the 

 beekeepers of Wisconsin are now attempting 

 to do, then and only then may we expect to 

 see beekeepers gain the upper hand of Euro- 

 pean and American foul brood. In Professor 

 Fracker's words, "Wisconsin is in the foul- 

 brood game to win." This spirit augurs well 

 for success, and Wisconsin may be certain 

 her undertaking will be closely watched by 

 the beekeepers of the entire country. — Edi- 

 tor.] 



