218 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Although in the territory previously worked there was a most 

 obvious improvement in the hygienic conditions of apiaries, 

 and a noticeable decrease in tlie prevalence of disease, even to 

 its entire eradication in particular instances, but stable condi- 

 tions cannot be expected as yet. It is hoped that in the coming 

 season, territories already covered will be so greatly improved, 

 the beekeepers will be so much better informed and more con- 

 fident, that the inspectors will be enabled to extend their efforts 

 as was done this year. 



While the following figures cannot be too strictly interpreted, 

 they are suggestive of the large amount of work done. It was 

 found that nearly one-third of the 3,717 colonies examined 

 were infected, 309 with American foul brood and 575 with 

 European foul brood, which may indicate that European foul 

 brood is the more prevalent; at least, its extreme infectiousness 

 and the rapidity with which it spreads are well recognized 

 among apiarists. But the 745 apiaries visited, of which 234 were 

 quarantined, do not at all represent the total number of calls 

 made. In many instances it has been necessary to revisit in- 

 fected apiaries repeatedly in order to give demonstrations and 

 assistance, or reinspect for release from quarantine, — 133 releases 

 having been granted, — and to insure proper precautions against 

 the further spread of infection. A large number of calls also 

 have been made where bees were said to have been kept, or 

 where they were formerly maintained, but, as was frequently 

 said, "all had died out from disease." The tracing of these dis- 

 continued apiaries is a most important feature of the service, its 

 value being to prevent infection through carelessness, exposure 

 of abandoned hives, combs, etc.; yet it is time-consuming. The 

 total number of calls, therefore, should be estimated to exceed 

 1,500. 



Due to the adverse summer and fall rains, in some apiaries the 

 suppression of disease was not wholly accomplished before the 

 end of the season. Also, it was not always possible to treat 

 cases discovered late in August and September and especially 

 in October. Thus 110 apiaries are still awaiting treatment in 

 the spring, when the best results should be expected. 



The relative ease with which disease has been suppressed 

 when its presence was detected in June or early July has been 



