Chapter III: Part 3

"_Breeding queen_"--a tested queen which has shown points of superiority, making her desirable for breeding purposes.

=DEALERS IN BEE KEEPERS' SUPPLIES.=

There are several manufacturers of supplies in this country who can furnish almost anything desired by the bee keeper. Some of them have agents in various parts of the country from whom supplies may be purchased, thus saving considerable in freight.

=BEE KEEPERS' ASSOCIATIONS.=

There are a large number of associations of bee keepers in all parts of the country, formed for the betterment of the industry, and a few associations which are organized to aid the members in purchasing supplies and in selling the crops. Of these the National Bee Keepers" Association is the largest. It helps its members in obtaining their legal rights, and aids in securing legislation for the furtherance of the industry. The annual conventions are held in different parts of the country, and copies of the proceedings are sent to the members. There are also numerous State, county, and town associations, some of which publish proceedings. The names of officers of the nearest associations or of the National Bee Keepers' Association will be sent from this department on request.

=LAWS AFFECTING BEEKEEPING.=

=Disease inspection.=--Various States have passed laws providing for the State or county inspection of apiaries for bee-disease control, and every bee keeper should get in touch with an inspector when disease is suspected, if one is provided. The inspectors are practical bee keepers who fully understand how to control the diseases, and are of great help in giving directions in this matter. The name of the inspector of any locality can usually be furnished, and this department is glad to aid bee keepers in reaching the proper officers.

=Laws against spraying fruit trees while in bloom.=--The spraying of fruit trees while in bloom is not now advised by economic entomologists, and to prevent the practice some States have passed laws making it a misdemeanor. Such spraying not only kills off honey bees, causing a loss to the bee keeper, but interferes with the proper pollination of the blossoms and is thus a detriment to the fruit grower. Bee keepers should do everything in their power to prevent the practice.

=Laws against the adulteration of honey.=--The national food and drugs act of 1906, and various State pure food laws, are a great aid to the bee keeper in preventing the sale of adulterated extracted honey as pure honey. Bee keepers can often aid in this work by reporting to the proper officials infringements of these laws which come to their notice.

=When bees are a nuisance.=--Some cities have passed ordinances prohibiting the keeping of bees in certain areas, but so far none has been able to enforce them. If bees are a nuisance in individual cases, the owner may be compelled to remove them. The National Bee Keepers' Association "will help any of its members in such cases, if they are in the right, as well as in cases where bees sting horses. Bee keepers should be careful not to locate bees where they can cause any trouble of this kind.

=SUPPOSED INJURY OF CROPS BY BEES.=

Bee keepers are often compelled to combat the idea that bees cause damage to fruit or other crops by sucking the nectar from the flower. This is not only untrue, but in many cases the bees are a great aid in the pollination of the flowers, making a good crop possible. A more frequent complaint is that bees puncture fruit and suck the juices. Bees never puncture sound fruit, but if the skin is broken by some other means bees will often suck the fruit dry. In doing it, however, they are sucking fruit which is already damaged. These and similar charges against the honey bee are prompted by a lack of information concerning their activities. Bees may, of course, become a nuisance to others through their stinging propensities, but bee keepers should not be criticized for things which their bees do not do.

=JOURNALS AND BOOKS ON BEEKEEPING.=

The progressive bee keeper will find it to his profit to subscribe for at least one journal devoted to beekeeping. Several of these are published in the United States. The names and addresses of such journals may usually be obtained from a subscription agent for periodicals, or from a supply dealer.

It will also be advantageous to read and study books on beekeeping, of which several are published in this country. These are advertised in journals devoted to beekeeping, or may usually be obtained through the local book dealer or through dealers in bee keepers' supplies.

=PUBLICATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ON BEE KEEPING.=[4]

[4] List revised to April 1, 1911. (VII.)

There are several publications of this department which are of interest to bee keepers, and new ones are added from time to time in regard to the different lines of investigation.

The following publications relating to bee culture, prepared in the Bureau of Entomology, are for free distribution and may be obtained by addressing the Secretary of Agriculture:[5]

[5] Farmers' Bulletin No. 59, "Bee Keeping," and Farmers' Bulletin No.
397, "Bees," have been superseded by Farmers' Bulletin No. 447.

Circular No. 79, "The Brood Diseases of Bees," has been superseded
by Farmers' Bulletin No. 442.

Bulletin No. 1, "The Honey Bee," has been discontinued.

Farmers' Bulletin No. 447, "Bees." By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D.
1911. 48 pp., 25 figs.

A general account of the management of bees.

Farmers' Bulletin No. 442, "The Treatment of Bee Diseases."
By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D. 1911. 22 pp., 7 figs.

This publication gives briefly the symptoms of the various bee
diseases, with directions for treatment.

Circular No. 94, "The Cause of American Foul Brood." By G. F. White,
Ph. D. 1907. 4 pp.

This publication contains a brief account of the Investigations which
demonstrated for the first time the cause of one of the brood diseases
of bees, American foul brood.

Circular No. 138. "The Occurrence of Bee Diseases in the United
States. (Preliminary Report.)" By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D. 1911.
25 pp.

A record of the localities from which samples of diseased brood were
received prior to March 1, 1911.

Bulletin No. 55, "The Rearing of Queen Bees." By E. F. Phillips,
Ph. D. 1905. 32 pp., 17 figs.

A general account of the methods used in queen rearing. Several methods
are given, so that the bee keeper may choose those best suited to his
individual needs.

Bulletin No. 70, "Report of the Meeting of Inspectors of Apiaries,
San Antonio, Tex., November 12, 1906." 1907. 79 pp., 1 plate.

Contains a brief history of bee-disease investigations, an account of
the relationship of bacteria to bee diseases, and a discussion of
treatment by various Inspectors of apiaries and other practical bee
keepers who are familiar with diseases of bees.

Bulletin No. 75, Part I, "Production and Care of Extracted Honey."
By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D. "Methods of Honey Testing for Bee Keepers."
By C. A. Browne, Ph. D. 1907. 18 pp.

The methods of producing extracted honey, with special reference to the
care of honey after it is taken from the bees, so that its value may
not be decreased by improper handling. The second portion of the
publication gives some simple tests for adulteration.

Bulletin No. 75, Part II, "Wax Moths and American Foul Brood."
By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D. 1907. Pp. 19-22, 3 plates.

An account of the behavior of the two species of wax moths on combs
containing American foul brood, showing that moths do not destroy the
disease-carrying scales.

Bulletin No. 75, Part III, "Bee Diseases in Massachusetts."
By Burton N. Gates. 1908. Pp. 23-32, map.

An account of the distribution of the brood diseases of bees in the
State, with brief directions for controlling them.

Bulletin No. 75, Part IV. "The Relation of the Etiologv (Cause) of
Bee Diseases to the Treatment." By G. F. White, Ph. D. 1908. Pp:
33-42.

The necessity for a knowledge of the cause of bee diseases before
rational treatment is possible is pointed out. The present state of
knowledge of the causes of disease is summarized.

Bulletin No. 75, Part V, "A Brief Survey of Hawaiian Bee Keeping."
By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D. 1909. Pp. 43-58, 6 plates.

An account of the beekeeping methods used in a tropical country and
a comparison with mainland conditions. Some new manipulations are
recommended.

Bulletin No 75, Part VI, "The Status of Apiculture in the United
States." By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D. 1909. Pp. 59-80.

A survey of present-day beekeeping in the United States, with
suggestions as to the work yet to be done before apiculture will have
reached its fullest development.

Bulletin No. 75, Part VII, "Bee Keeping in Massachusetts."
By Burton N. Gates. 1909. Pp. 81-109, 2 figs.

An account of a detailed study of the apicultural conditions in
Massachusetts. The object of this paper is to point out the actual
conditions and needs of beekeeping in New England.

Bulletin No. 75, Contents and Index. 1911. Pp. vii+111-123.

Bulletin No. 75, Parts I-VII, complete with Contents and Index. 1911.
Pp. viii+123.

Bulletin No. 98. "Historical Notes on the Causes of Bee Diseases."
By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D., and G. F. White, Ph. D., M. D. (In press.)

A summary of the various investigations concerning the etiology
(Cause) of bee diseases.

Technical Series, No. 14, "The Bacteria of the Apiary with Special
Reference to Bee Diseases." By G. F. White, Ph. D. 1906. 50 pp.

A study of the bacteria present in both the healthy and the diseased
colony, with special reference to the diseases of bees.

Technical Series No. 18, "The Anatomy of the Honey Bee."
By R. E. Snodgrass. 1910. 162 pp., 57 figs.

An account of the structure of the bee, with technical terms omitted
so far as possible. Practically all of the illustrations are new, and
the various parts are interpreted according to the best usage in
comparative anatomy of insects. A brief discussion of the physiology of
the various organs is included .

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY.

Bulletin No. 110, "Chemical Analysis and Composition of American
Honeys." By C. A. Browne. Including "A Microscopical Study of
Honey Pollen." By W. J. Young. 1908. 93 pp., 1 fig., 6 plates.

A comprehensive study of the chemical composition of American honeys.
This publication is technical in nature and will perhaps be little
used by practical bee keepers, but it is an important contribution to
apicultural literature. By means of this work the detection of honey
adulteration is much aided.

HAWAII AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTAL STATION. HONOLULU, HAWAII.

Bulletin No. 17, "Hawaiian Honeys." By D. L. Van Dine and Alice R.
Thompson. 1908. 21 pp., 1 plate.

A study of the source and composition of the honeys of Hawaii.
The peculiar conditions found on these islands are dealt with.

Transcriber Note

Illustrations were moved so as not to split paragraphs.

End of Project Gutenberg's Farmers' Bulletin 447: Bees, by E. F. Phillips