THE HONEY CROP.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXXI, 10 January 1916, Page 7

THE HONEY CROP.

SEASON'S PROSPECTS DISCUSSED

The Director of. the Horticulture Division of the Department of Agriculture has received from the Apiary Instructors the following reports concerning honey crop prospects: — Auckland—During this month the bees have been very busy, and the nectar is coming in freely. The pastures are now becoming somewhat dried up, and a good soaking rain would do a great amount of good. There is but, little section honey now sold on the Auckland market, as the poor prices in the past have driven beekeepers to produce extracted honey. Beeswax is somewhat lower in J price, a large quantity having- arrived from the Islands, < which formerly was sent to Germany. Wellington—The season is not sufficiently advanced for this year's honey to be offering, and last year's supply is practically depleted. Under favorable conditions the crop-should" surpass last year's, but a considerable amount of feeding had to be done during the spring, especially in Taranaki. The stocks, on the whole, are in good condition for the flow, and fine weather with occasional showers from now on' should result in an average crop being gath-, ered.

Christchurch—What few slight showers have fallen, on the plains weiie immediately dried up by the hot winds which have been so prevalent this season, consequently very little honey has been stored in the supe<rs; in many instances the Apiary Instructor has suggested putting on feeders to save bees dying of starvation in December. In n any parts the prospects are not encouraging. Those beekeepers who are situated in close proximity to the hills and bush country are in rather a more fortunate positoon. Some severe frosts at the, beginning" of- December destroyed bloom, aiid many other sources of nectar suffered: .badly.. Even haffly plants like the ivy appeared as if scorched with "fire. Unless more favorable conditions jirevail very soon,* honey will be scarce. Dunedin—Th«*re is little fresh to repert. Already beekeepers anticipate a light crop' in South Canterbury and North Otago. In .Southland the prospects of a good crop are excellent. At this time last year the beekepers were busy feedinec, but this season the bees have, steadily increased the store of nectar. Given a spell of fine weather, a heavy crop will be secured.