PREFACE 



The meeting of inspectors of apiaries was held on the Monday fol- 

 lowing the close of the National Bee Keepers' Association convention, 

 November L2, L906, at San Antonio. Tex., as a result of a call issued 

 by Mr. X. E. France, inspector of apiaries for Wisconsin, Mr. W. X. 

 Hutchinson, inspector of apiaries for Michigan, and the writer. 



The object of this meeting was to get together for consultation the 

 men interested in the eradication and control of her diseases. The 

 closer cooperation of these men in their work can result only in gOod 

 to apiculture and is greatly to be desired. Inspectors are chosen 

 from among the practical bee men of the county or State and the 

 majority of them are familiar with their work on entering the service. 

 I hey also accumulate a vast amount of information concerning dis- 

 eases, most of which never reaches the bee journals or o-ains publicity 

 in any way. A meeting of these men brings out many point- which 

 would otherwise remain unknown. 



The meeting at San Antonio was most interesting and valuable, and 

 since much that was said there has never been published it seems 

 desirable to issue the proceedings of the meeting in the form of a bul- 

 letin to add to the knowledge of the bee-keepin«r public on bee diseases. 



At the close of the meeting the writer was asked by the inspectors 

 present to prepare a li-t of (plenums based on the laws now in force 

 for the control of bee diseases. This list was prepared at once and a 

 copy -cut to each of the inspectors whose name and address could be 

 obtained. At the same time the questions were taken up for detailed 

 examination, and various persons were consulted on point- of impor- 

 tance which arise. This work i- not yet complete, for it ha- assumed 

 proportions which were entirely unexpected at the beginning. It was 

 originally intended that this discussion of the law- should be inserted 

 a- an appendix to the present report, but tin- would only delay the 

 present publication. Tin- aspect of the subject may therefore be sub- 

 mitted for future publication as soon as it can be prepared. It is 

 very important that the best possible wording be used in a law to con- 

 trol bee diseases. The bee keeper- <»f several States w hich do not have 

 Mich Laws are at present interested in tin- subject. 



5 



