APIARY INSPECTION ANNUAL REPORT 

 JULY 1, 1970 - JUivTE 30, 1971 



During the fiscal year 1971 more inspectors were available 

 and considerably more inspection accomplished especially in 

 western Massachusetts where more hives v/ere treated and burned 

 for AFB. In eastern Massachusetts more AFB was found in Barn- 

 stable and Middlesex counties than last year. Merrimac Valley 

 Pollinators were lax in not fiomigating more hives recently ac- 

 quired and foulbrood increased to 30-35?^ in some bee yards '.hsre 

 there v/as less than 1% last year. 



Pollinators in Plymouth County have -been more aware of AFB 

 & EFB and have controlled it with anti-biotics much better than 

 in the previous year. Pollinators have also been informed of 

 letting inspectors know where their hives are at the time they 

 are to be inspected. This helps to locate more hives than prev- 

 iously possible and shoiild increase the total number of hives to 

 at least 11,000 in this state in 1971. 



Interest in beekeeping has increased enormously among amateurs 

 due to courses in beekeeping for the beginners initiated this year 

 in Essex, Middlesex and V/orcester counties. ''/linter kill was 

 severe again in western Massachusetts but bees are being replaced 

 with package bees by those who lost their colonies. 



A great deal of importance in the loss of bees by pesticides 

 has been evidenced p.rA the Federal government has initiated a 



