26 Wisconsin Bulletin 264 



robbing the diseased combs and carrying the honey to the 

 beeyards of nearby beekeepers. 



There are throughout the state, especially in eastern and 

 northeastern Wisconsin, many who usually keep only a few 

 colonies of bees, seldom over twenty-five. Too many man- 

 age their bees according to methods in use 20 or more years 

 ago and pay httle attention to foul brood until it kills prac- 

 tically all of their bees. Often this disaster does not seem 

 sufTicient to bring about better beekeeping for not infre- 

 quently foul brood combs, if not actually filled with foul 

 brood material, are saved and used again. Sometimes it 

 does not seem sufficient for a beekeeper to let his own bees 

 die of foul brood, but with no thought of others, he leaves 

 the affected combs exposed so that his neighbors' bees may 

 get at the diseased combs and carry the infection to the home 

 colony. A fact, which is difficult to understand is the abso- 

 lute disregard of the rights and privileges of other beekeepers 

 which some "owners of bees" and certain beekeepers seem 

 to have. 



It is fortunate that the number of such beekeepers is rap- 

 idly decreasing. There are only a limited number of persons 

 who at first either refuse to treat their bees for foul brood or 

 do so under protest. At present, better control and more im- 

 mediate prospects of eradication of bee diseases exists in 

 the state than ever before. This is partly due to the in- 

 creased appropriation for apiary inspection made by the 

 laws of 1913. Through this legislative action, more and 

 better inspection was provided for in the diseased localities 

 so that not only increased control but eradication of both 

 American and European foul brood is taking place. In prac- 

 tically all diseased localities in Wisconsin, foul brood is 

 largely under control and it seems that continued proper 

 and persistent inspection will soon free the state of bee dis- 

 eases. 



What of the Future? 



Early dairying in Wisconsin was poorly organized and 

 advanced glowly. Immediately following the invention of 

 the Babcock butter fat test (1890), a great stimulus was 

 given to the industry. Increased recognition was given to 



