MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

 Apiary Inspection - Annual Statistical Report 



Season I965 



No. No. No. No. 



No. Colonies Col. Col. treat- Colonies 

 County Visits Examined AFB EFB ed destroyed 



BARNSTABLE BS 15^ 2 4 4 2 



BERKSHIRE 137 415 5 4 1 



BRISTOL 62 24S 2 13 10 5 



ESSEX 215 S46 77 5 55 27 



FRANKLIN 13 6 413 2 2 



HAMPDEN 197 708 12 9 3 



HAMPSHIRE 114 464 12 3 9 



MIDDLESEX 96 5d7 21 14 26 9 



NORFOLK 166 419 5 25 21 9 



PLYMOUTH 137 529 6 90 35 12 



> WORCESTER 59 172 3 Q_ 2 1 



I407 4939 147 151 221 75 



AFB Estimated colonies of bees 

 Average Percent in entire State 



1962 2.20 1962 g,201 



1963.... I.7S 1963 11,098 



1964 3.20 1964 9,53s 



1965 2.90 1965 10,029 



Analyzing the results of honeybee inspections this year it is evident 

 that we are back to normal in all the counties. There was no serious 

 outbreak of disease anywhere but Essex County continues to show a 

 high incidence of AFB. Every to\m in that county was covered as was 

 the case in I964. The EFB cases fell off to only 5, which may be due 

 to efficient antibiotic treatment. 



Conditions for wintering bees are good with several good voidance 

 flight days occurring in December. All colonies with ample food 

 supplies should go through to March. They should be checked in 

 February and sugar put on the inner cover if there is doubt when 

 lifted for a weight test. 



Honey production this year was off in most areas due to the severe dry 

 weather but a few spots produced over 100 lbs. per colony. The large 

 ^ apiaries suffered the most and heavy feeding was necessary in the Fall 

 Strong colonies built up in the Spring with well selected queens are 

 the answer to success in beekeeping and to offset the dry cycle we 

 are in . 



200 January 11, 1966 



MB/mf 



