SECOND ANNUAL KEPORT OF THE STATE INSPECTOR 

 OF APIARIES. 



To the State Board of Agriculture. 



I respectfully present the second annual report of the State 

 Inspector of Apiaries for the year 1911. 



The disease situation in Massachusetts has become more 

 intimately known to the inspectors, and it is some gratification 

 to find that the prophecies previously made have been found 

 to be relatively correct. In a few instances the prevalence of 

 disease was greater than had been anticipated. 



The demands of the beekeepers continue to increase. Al- 

 ready, although it is midwinter, letters are coming in with in- 

 quiries and suggestions for early spring work. 



The past season has been one of the most unfortunate in 

 decades for beekeeping. This applies not only to Massachusetts 

 but to the greater part of the United States. The extraordinary 

 dearth of nectar in the field checked brood rearing to such an 

 extent that disease treatment methods were not only handi- 

 capped but required the utmost skill and precaution. The 

 success which has been met is, therefore, somewhat unexpected. 

 Extreme heat and dryness during the summer, followed by 

 extraordinary rains in the early fall, typify an adverse season 

 for beekeeping and for inspection work. It is well recognized 

 that treatment is easier and more satisfactory when there is a 

 honey flow. 



Nevertheless, the inspectors feel as a result of observations 

 and general expression of beekeepers, that material benefit 

 has been gained throughout the worst infected areas of the 

 State, outlined in the last report. The areas formerly in- 

 spected have been revisited and greatly enlarged; others have 

 been covered, — ^ Berkshire County, southern Connecticut valley, 

 Worcester County and a considerable part of Middlesex County, 

 beside foci in other counties. 



