No. 4.] INSPECTOR OF APIARIES. 281 



Appendix II. 



AN INQUIRY INTO THE SPRAYING LAWS OF NORTH 

 AMERICA IN THEIR RELATION TO BEEKEEPING 

 INTERESTS. 



The beekeepers of Massaclmsetts have become agitated 

 over the alleged losses of colonies which have been attrib- 

 uted to spray poison. It has been complained that in certain 

 localities, especially where intensive spraying is the practice, 

 there has been an indiscriminate and possibly injudicious 

 use of si)rays. Some have complained, also, of carelessness 

 on the part of spray men, wherein it has been alleged that 

 trees in full bloom — not only the fruit trees but, for in- 

 stance, the lindens — have been deluged with arsenical 

 poisons. The writer has followed up certain alleged losses 

 and has seen apiaries which were depleted. The devastation 

 was apparently not due to any bee disease which is recog- 

 nized to-day. Furthermore, the alleged damages from sprays 

 have followed directly the application of spray poisons in 

 the vicinity. 



Poisoning from insecticides may affect the colony in two 

 ways. It may immediately kill oft' the old bees without 

 apparently affecting the brood, or it may deplete the colony 

 of a portion of its field bees so that recovery by fall is usu- 

 .ally but partial. Thus there is ultimate damage, wherein the 

 colony fails to recuperate for winter. Furthennore, any de- 

 pleted colony is seriously handicapped in honey production, 

 and is rendered more susceptible to infectious brood dis- 

 eases. 



As a result of these reports and from the urgency of the 

 situation, a preliminary inquiry has been made into provi- 

 sions afforded in other States for the protection of bees 

 against insecticidal poisoning. Each State in the Union, as 

 well as the Canadian Provinces and the insular possessions. 



