No. 12:^.] PLANT PP:ST CONTROL. 81 



did Mr. Fuller in the three southeastern counties. Diseases 

 have always caused more concern in Worcester County and 

 eastward, possibly because of a more dense and urban popula- 

 tion who buy and sell bees freely. Avocational beekeepers live 

 largely in the eastern part of the State, who we find are not 

 infrequently in trouble with bee disease before they realize it. 

 It was not possible to work in Essex County nor on Cape Cod. 



There is always considerable work in this eastern half of the 

 State — too much to be accomplished by one inspector, even 

 though he is assisted by part time of another. The field is 

 large enough for full service of two men, even with the help 

 of a part-time man. For this reason it has seemed necessary 

 to request the apportionment of additional funds. 



Formerly the annual fund available was $2,000. This was 

 reduced some years ago to $1,500, since which time expenses of 

 travel and all other items have increased. It is evident to any- 

 one that to-day $1,500 cannot possibly be made to do the work 

 that $2,000 did before the rise in expenses. Moreover, the 

 former appropriation was never adequate to cover the State 

 in any given year. It has been respectfully urged that the 

 appropriation be increased to $2,500, which sum it has been 

 explained can be made to supply regular service in the Con- 

 necticut Valley (heretofore only partial and periodic); will 

 enable more extended work in Worcester County (much 

 needed); and make possible the appointment of an inspector, 

 resident in eastern Massachusetts either north or south of 

 Boston, to cover territory now reached but occasionally, or in 

 case of an outbreak, as well as support the service as a whole 

 more adequately. 



In the report of 1922 it was mentioned that in two localities, 

 at least, there were persistent infections. These we are glad to 

 report are wiped out and the localities relatively clean. 



One exhibit of honey was made for the Department at the 

 Union Meeting in January. The writer has also prepared and 

 presented a general bulletin on beekeeping for publication by 

 the Department. In directing the work the writer has given 

 part time as needed. 



