Massachusetts Department 



Annual 



of Agriculture - Apiary Inspection 

 Statistical Report 

 Season 1962 



County 

 BAPJfS TABLE 



BEPZSHIRE 



BRISTOL 



ESSEX 



FRAfnCLE'T 



HAI'iPDEN 



HAilPSHIHE 



MIDDLESEX 



NORFOIiC 



PLYIIOUTH 



;fOP-CSSTER 



136 



166 

 209 



1,533 



AFB 

 Average percen t 



1959. ...1.39 

 1960. ...2.2 

 1961. ...2.1 

 1962. ...2.2 



571 



11 



992 



702 



6,221 



15 

 26 



141 



38 



75 



37 



21 



129 



16 



88 



Estimated colonies of bees 

 in entire State 



1959. ...7,800 

 1960. ...7,786 

 1961. ...7,944 

 1962. ...8,201 



The upward trend in numbers of colonies kept in Massachusetts re- 

 flects largely the efforts of our six County Associations to help 

 beginners and educate all beekeepers in bettor methods and disease 

 control. The comriiercial apiaries have increased their colonies, 

 too, because of an increased demand for bees for hire to pollinate 

 fruits. Vermont and Maine continue to call for more bees. The 

 cost of transportation and labor problems are the limiting factors. 



Diseased colonics remain about the same as last year in proportion. 

 The percentage of A?B was 2.2 compared to 2,1 in 1961, Many towns 

 in Plymouth, Bristol and Barnstable Counties were inspected for the 

 first time in five years, because a full time inspector was avail- 

 able. The commercial apiaries checked out cleaner than ever before, 



Terramycin and Sulfathiazole continue to be used by the large 

 apiarists, while burning and disinfecting has proven to be best for 

 the snail beekeeper, 



1IR3:1IEC January 10, 1963 



300 



