HONEY CROP PROSPECTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3004, 15 February 1917, Page 8

HONEY CROP PROSPECTS

The Director of the Horticulture Division of the Department of Agriculture has received from the Apiary Instructors the following report concerning the honey crop prospects:— Auckland.—From reports to hand, I learn that the previous estimate of a good honey yield js being realised. Prices are likely to be about the same as last year. Beeswax is in demand at Is. fid. per lb. Wellington.—lt is estimated that the crop this year Trill be an average bno. The weather in the "Wellington province and Taranaki has been unusually dry, but there is still time to secure a second crop if rain is forthcoming. Iu Hawke's Bay the rainfall has been good, and no fears pre entertained regarding the crop there.' The lack of high winds in the central part of the North Island has undoubtedly been of great value to bee-farmers, as the bees have been enabled to range wide distances in search of food. Christchurch.—About the middle of the month a thunderstorm was fairly general over Canterbury,; the rain penetrating the ground lin. to lsm. The parched pastures freshened up, and a light honey flow followed for a short while. The main flow is now. over, and the sea- | son working to a close. Speaking generally the season has been a trifle better than last year; the crop, so far as can bo estimated, only promises to be moderate. There is a good demand for table honey by local merchants. Prices are better than last year—sd. to 51d. offering in bulk and 7s. to Ss. doz. for sections. Th'ero is an inquiry by a largo firm for 10 tons of first-grade honey for export. Dunedin.—ln the northern parts of my district there is practically no alteration in respeot to this season's crop. The weather continues drv. In Otngo and Southland there baß been an abnormal flow, and reports to hand point to the best season yet on record. Eitraetinf! is in progress, and operations are likely to be continued a,s the clover is still yielding abundantly. Prices are firm. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, February U. Tlio Department of Agriculture lias informed the New Zealand Honey Producers' Association that the estimated crop of i honey for this season is about 1250 tons. The association is advancing to its suppliers 4Jd. per lb. nett without . recourse at the trading ports.