Bee Disease Control iq 



Education 



Many who own bees have little or no knowledge of their care, 

 and in order that they may do effective work in disease control 

 it is necessary that they be taught both the identification of and 

 treatment for diseases. Unless, therefore, much educational wo''k 

 is done in connection with bee inspection, bee disease control will 

 not be entirely satisfactory. 



The ideal condition is had when every beekeeper is thoroughly 

 familiar with the symptoms of bee disease and with the latest ap- 

 proved method of control. Then disease can be treated upon its 

 first appearance and it will not become epidemic. 



The need of educating the beekeeper has been recognized from 

 the beginning of inspection work in New Jersey, and it has been 

 given considerable attention. During the past year, without in any 

 degree relaxing the. efforts in inspection, emphasis has been placed 

 upon the educational side of the work. 



Efforts have been made toward reaching the beekeeper with 

 better methods of management; (i) direct, (2) through the mails, 

 and (3) through the farm demonstrators. 



Educating the Beekeeper Direct. — When an apiary is visited, all 

 conditions about the yard or hives which are not such that good 

 financial results can reasonably be expected, are pointed out to the 

 owner and remedial measures suggested. Highly important events 

 in the cycle of the year — events which if properly controlled will 

 result in success, and if neglected will cause failure — are discussed 

 and the best practices in connection therewith are made known to 

 the beekeeper. 



Stress is laid on the money value of the honey crop from properly 

 handled bees, also on the importance of correct manipulations at 

 the proper time if a satisfactory crop is to be secured. The ab- 

 solute necessity of proper management of swarming, the intro- 

 duction of queens and proper supering are impressed upon the bee- 

 keeper. 



Through the Mails. — During 1916 five circular letters were sent 

 to the entire mailing list of about 2,000 beekeepers. These letters 

 discussed "Building 'up Colonies," "Swarm Control," "Supering," 

 "Requeening," and "Wintering," and were sent when the informa- 

 tion they contained would be timely. Many letters asking advice 



