BEE DISEASES IN MASSACHUSETTS. 31 



pressed. The rapidity with which they spread, however, makes co- 

 operation of bee keepers throughout the State or States essential. 

 Sixteen States and Territories a now have legislation and inspectors 

 designed to protect the bee keepers from the spread of these infectious 

 diseases. The State nearest to Massachusetts is New York, where 

 the annual loss of bees alone is shown in the following figures : 6 



Previous to 1899, in a limited area, the loss of bees alone is estimated 



at $39,383 



In 1899, when concentrated effort to suppress bee disease was begun, 



it amounted to 25, 420 



In 1900 20, 289 



In 1902 10, 853 



In 1903 the loss of the previous year was halved, making it 5, 860 



In 1903 it was 4, 741 



In 1904 it was again divided by two, being 2, 220 



In 1905 there was again a reduction of nearly 50 per cent 1, 725 



Total loss of bees, covering about ten years 110, 491 



In other States the encouraging results of inspection and per- 

 sistent effort to suppress the inroads of disease are similar. 



INSPECTION. 



Inspectors are not alone police officers. They are educators, up-to- 

 date bee keepers giving instructions in modern methods of bee keep- 

 ing, thoroughly experienced in treating foul brood, and a great stim- 

 ulus to progress. They are necessarily exacting and thorough; but 

 they are not out to seize and condemn ; their aim is to help the bee 

 keepers, to assist them in a cooperative effort to eradicate disease, and 

 to promote bee keeping. Of course the individual can do much for 

 himself by keeping his own yard clean and free from infection ; but 

 he is in constant danger of reinfection from his neighbors, if they 

 fail to cooperate with him. 



A BHIEE ACCOTnSTT OE TREATMENT EOH BROOD DISEASES. 



Those who are most experienced in the suppression of brood dis- 

 eases are agreed that " shaking," which is practically " shook swarm- 

 ing," and modifications of this process are the only successful methods. 



a The legislation empowering this inspection in twelve of these States and Ter- 

 ritories is reprinted from Bui. 61, Bur. Ent, issued November 5, 1906, and en- 

 titled "The Laws in Force Against Injurious Insects and Foul Brood in the 

 United States," compiled by L. O. Howard and A. F. Burgess. 



6 These figures are afforded by a compilation made in 1905 by Mr. Charles 

 Stewart from the records of the commissioner of agriculture of New York 

 State. 



c The various treatments are described by Dr. E. F. Phillips in Circular 79, 

 of this Bureau, mentioned above. 



