NORMAL HONEY CROP

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 32, 8 February 1943, Page 5

NORMAL HONEY CROP

EXPERIENCE IX TARAXAKI (0.c.) NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. Honey produced in Taranaki is reported to be good this year. With about a fortnight still to go before the season ends, estimates made by apiarists varied from below to above normal, optimistic opinions predominating. After last seasons disappointing results beekeepers welcome the improvement. Plenty of white clover and blackberry flowers have provided material for the production of best quality honey, and the weather has favoured the bees. The season, which extends from the beginning of December to the second week In February, is therefore expected to be more than satisfactory. . . . Referring to the demand for honey, an apiarist said that seven-tenths of the output had to be supplied to the Marketing Department for the armed services, hospitals and similar requirements, the remainder being lor sale direct to the public. That meant, the apiarist said, that people near the producing area had quite a good supply to draw upon, but in the cities the supply would be almost nil. As far as supplies of sugar for the bees and petrol for the maintenance of bee colonies were concerned, he had no complaint to make.