HONEY INDUSTRY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 7 January 1926, Page 4

HONEY INDUSTRY.

BKTCHT PROSPECTS IN TARANAKI That there are bright prospects for the honcv industry in Taranaki was evidenced* by the optimistic remarks of a Hawera beekeeper, who operates on a laroe scale, in the course of a conversation with a Star representath'6. Production in Taranaki liad been greatlv increased of late. The number of keepers in a small way had been lessened while, ‘‘big men” had added considerably to their colonies. Lh s had been the means of improA'ing the qualitv, and so now Taranaki Avas securelv established in the honey world. Great, strides had been made in tlie elimination of foul brood. I his h.u. been made easier in vieiv of the discontinuation of keepers of small colonies. On rare occasions foul brood still made its appearance in odd hives, but this could generally be traced to negligence on the part of small keepers, who failed to destroy their bees Avhon necessary. , Of course a bee-keeper Avas dependent on the weather. If the season proved very dry the clover (the m.. n source of the honey’’) became ban on »', nectar and the production in the hives Avas accordingly loaa'. Close, muggy' AA'oather AA'ith light showers AA’as tin best for beekeepers, for then tlie cloa. e* floAA'ers secreted most nectar. Sun shine and shoAver’ Avas the beekeeper s paradise. At the present prospee s were good as tlie season showed, excLilent promise. During Christmas ween the production had been very heavy, and on Christmas Day the bees must haA'c Avorked overtime, for a hive scale test taken in South Taranaki had shown a record. While the beekeepers supplied the local market, all that remained was readily bought ou export and prices were very good. There AA'as room for much greater production, as the demand greatly exceeded the supply'. Honey AA'as regarded as a luxury in England and other European countries owing to its comparative scarcity, and. as was said, “thousands noA-'or see it.”

AN INCREASING DEMAND. MOIIE INQUIRY FROM CONTINENT. Amongst the exports from New Zealand Avliieli are steadily growing is that of honey, which last y'ear shoAved an increase of 200 tons oA'er the preceding year, or from 500 tons to- 700 tons, valued at betAveen £40,000 and £50,000. Speaking to Mr E. A. Earp, of the Apiary Division of the Department of Horticulture, a New Zealand Times reporter AA'as informed that Avhilst the greater bulk of this export went to London, an increasing inquiry AA’as being received from the Continent, notably' from Norway and Su'eden. The honey exported from NeAV Zealand is graded into specia l , prime and good grades, these being further divided according to colour. The inquiry from England is mostly' for a Avhite honey, the Continent ’ preferring a darker grade, such as is largely produced in the Auckland district. where the flowers of the manuka affect the colour. With the improA'ed inquiry for honey, consequent on the groAvth of export trade. Mr Earp explained, serious attention Avas being directed to bee-cul-ture in New Zealand. The return is high. tAvo farms last year who Avorked 600 “colonies” or built-up hi\'es, each receiving £ISOO from their honey crop. Once th e farm has been established, there is practically no further outlay 7. Even food does not have to be provided, as the bees obtain their requirements from the surrounding farm lands, and the only.-space required is that on Avhicli the hives stand. Throughout the Waikato a bee-farm can be succ-essfu’ly' established every three miles, this area providing sufficient food for the bees. On the West Coast of the South Island one apiarv per mile is not too much, the native bush, more particularly tlie rata, proA'iding excellent feed and honey of a very high order.