THAMES NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6000, 9 February 1881, Page 5

THAMES NEWS.

[from oor own co-respondent.] Grakamstown, Tuesday. Last week I sent you a short notice of our fruit-tinning industry, referring more particularly to Mr. R. Hudson's efforts in this line. Another industry which has been started here, and which appears likely to grow into one of considerable importance, is that of bee-keeping, or, more strictly speaking, bee-farming. Is is to Mr. Hopkins, cf Parawai, that we owe the commencement of this industry, and the results of his efforts during the past year Jiave been such that it has attracted attention in all parts of the colony. Much of this, however, is owing to the able articles on bee culture, written by Mr. Hopkins, which appeared in the Weekly News, during tlis fall of last season. Mr. Hopkins has devoted five yearstothe study of this subject, and itisonly now that he is beginning to reap the reward of his patience and perseverance. Early in the spring of 1879-50 Mr. Hopkins established his apiary at Parawai, and during that season he paid particular attention to his own bees. Upon the opening of the season of ISSO-Sl, however, the industry had attracted so much interest, and the applications for information on the subject as well as for the Langstrorii hives had become so numerous, that Mr. Hopkins decided to comparatively neglect hid own apiary, and devote his time and energy to supplying the wants of others, at the same time establishing the nucleus of a trade in bee requisites. With this object in view Mr. Hopkins opened an establishment in Pollen-street, Shorthand, where he commenced the manufacture of the Langstroth hive, and all the necessary adjuncts, for the proper conducting of a bee farm. So successful has he been during the late season, that no fewer than 400 hives have been sent to -various parts of the colony. The hives are made either with two storeys or a storey and a-half, the parts being removable at pleasure The storeys are rabbitted in such a way that they will do for either top or bottom, and are so simple that they can be fitted together without the slightest difficulty. The lower storey is supplied with ten comb frames, which are placed about three-eighths of .an inch apart, the whole being intended for the breeding or swarming section of the hive. The upper storey, or half storey, is supplied with seven broad comb frames, and is intended for the honey section. With a little care and attention the bees wall fill the frames in the upper storey with nothing but pure honey. Mr. Hopkins also manufactures artificial comb foundations, and when requested to do so, supplies each frame with a sheet of this very useful commodity, besides sending a number of sheets of the proper size with the hive. The broad or honey frames can also be fitted with small lib. or 21b. frames, by which means honey can be focwarded to market just as it comes from the hive without being disturbed in any way. Each hive is also supplied with a cold-blast smoker, a most ingenious little machine, and very simple. Mr. Hopkins is also manufacturing honey extractors, with which the honey can be extracted from the comb without destroying its flavour and with very little trouble, but as these machines are rather expensive, \ie is about to begin making a different description of extractor which, although not so goijd as his,present one, will still be a very useful one, aud will be much cheaper. This industry is of great interest to the Thames, seeing that the whole of the articles connected with it are made here. The hives are made by Mr. Hopkins himself. The tinware, and of this there is not a h'ttle used in the manufacture of the extractors and smokers, is made by Mr. G. McCaul, of Grahamstown. While the frames, artificial comb, bellows fonthe smoker, and a number of other articles arb also made by Mr. Hopkins. Although the industry is only in. its infancy, still it represents a considerable amount of capital, and apparently it will grow into one of considerable magnitude. The natural advantages of the colony for bee farming are very great. A very interesting half-hour can be spent with Mr. Hopkins in his establishment, and in a few minutes he will give a great deal of information to those interested in bee culture, which, as he himself puts it, has taken him years to obtain.