410 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



for even more marked results in the future. Instead of Berk- 

 shire County being one of the worst infected sections of the 

 State, as it was in 1911, it is fast becoming one of the freest 

 from infection. The figures do not mean, however, that super- 

 vision may now be discontinued. The beekeepers have learned 

 their lesson to a certain extent, yet they still need assistance 

 and special suggestions. Given a prosperous honey year, bee- 

 keepers of this county may look forward to a successful season. 

 These figures, too, are significant from the standpoint of the 

 rest of the State. What is attained in the western county may 

 be reached elsewhere in the State or in the State as a whole; 

 but to do this additional assistance is imperative. The limited 

 funds and number of inspectors do not permit of a State-wide 

 campaign, which from evidence now at hand is most seriously 

 needed. Furthermore, from the standpoint of beekeepers, it 

 is not only desired but demanded. Unfortunately it has be- 

 come necessary to limit the response to these demands. This 

 should not be the case, for with the demonstrated success in one 

 locality beekeepers of the rest of the State most certainly are 

 warranted in applying for similar assistance. 



The Need for Additional Inspection. 

 While apiaries in every quarter of Massachusetts have at 

 some time been inspected or their status ascertained, with the 

 present available funds it has not been possible to cover the 

 State completely in any one year on account of limitation of 

 time or number of inspectors. As the writer has explained in 

 previous reports, the policy has been to deal with the worst 

 current infection. Now a territory has been found, as explained 

 below, in which there are large numbers of colonies of bees 

 isolated and hard to reach; a territory covering a large area, 

 and which has a most promising future from the standpoint of 

 honey production, but which is seriously infected with both 

 European foul brood and American foul brood. A beginining 

 toward the control of the disease has been made during the 

 past year. This work has to be done, however, at the expense 

 of work elsewhere in the State, some of which was decidedly 

 needed. It is therefore apparent that in order to meet the situ- 

 ation adequately, and to keep under control localities already 



