No. 4.] INSPECTOR OF APIARIES. 233 



have been used. In very few instances did the reports fail. 

 In tlie case where a beekeeper failed to report on time, a let- 

 ter was sent to him asking the reasons for delay. The card 

 is used not only in the case of improving the sanitary con- 

 ditions of the yard, but also as a report upon completing the 

 treatment of bee disease. Where a beekeeper found it neces- 

 sary, by cause of accident or other reason, to ask for an 

 extension of time, this has been granted freely at the discre- 

 tion of the inspector. 



Puhlicaiions. — Bulletin No. 5 of the " Apiary Inspec- 

 tion " series has been issued with an edition of 1,500 copies. 

 The report of the inspector for 1911 constitutes Bulletin 

 No. 4 of the same series. 



Resignations. — The inopportune and unfortunate resig- 

 nation of ]\rr. William II, Thatcher resulted in the inadvisa- 

 bility of iilling the vacancy during the current year. It is 

 highly i-ecommended, however, that Mr. John Shaughnessy 

 of South Lee be appointed Deputy Apiary Inspector to fill 

 the vacancy caused by Mr. Thatcher's resignation. 



Attendance at Meetings. — Among the important meetings 

 of the year, was the Convention of Apiary Inspectors of the 

 northeastern United States and Canada, held at Amherst 

 Feb. 7 and 8, 1012, and referred to elsewhere. This is the 

 meeting which was proposed in the report of 1911. The 

 convention has proven of a decided benefit to the Massachu- 

 setts service. As is usual, the writer has attended numerous 

 other beekeepers' conventions for the purpose of delivering 

 addresses. Record of this attendance is kept on file. 



Meeting of the Apiary Inspectors of the North- 

 eastern United States and Canada. 

 For im]iroving the efficiency of the Massachusetts inspec- 

 tion service, as well as making an effort to co-ordinate the 

 inspection work of the several States, and to co-operate to a 

 greater extent with inspectors of the adjacent States, a con- 

 ference of apiary inspectors in Andierst was proposed in the 

 last report. This met with general favor and the meeting 

 was held on F-ebruary 7 and 8. Those present were : — 



