HONEY PRODUCTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20171, 4 February 1929, Page 12

HONEY PRODUCTION.

LOWER OUTPUT THIS YEAR. WEATHER AFFECTS RETURNS. Lower production of honey during the present season was predicted by Mr. P. A. Hillary, president of the Auckland branch of tho National Beekeepers' Association, at the association's demonstration at Wesley College, Paerata, on Saturday afternoon. There was a largo attendance of beekeepers, and a number of lectures on subjects of interest were given by experts. Reviewing the prospects for the season the president said tho weather in October and November had proved very unfavourable, and, coming at such a crucial time, had delayed the season by a month, altering the whole course of the usual run of operations. It was hard to say what the final result would bo this year, but the season would not be such a successful one as the last, when 3000 tons were produced. Although production would probably bo very much lighter, there was no doubt the quality of the. honey this season was very high. As an instance, of the low returns which beekeepers were obtaining, Mr. Hillary said some beekeepers in the Wnikato with 1000 hives had estimated their crop at only 30 tons, whilo one beekeeper in Taranaki considered he would obtain only 10 tons. The usual return fioin this number of hives was 50 tons.