THE APIARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3304, 11 July 1917, Page 7

THE APIARY.

By J. A

THE CALL TO NEW ZEALAND BEEKEEPERS. There is a loud and insistent call to the food producers of New Zealand to be up and doing. The nations at war are doling out supplies in order to make them last fcs long as possible; but already tho giant of hunger lean and gaunt is stalking everywhere. When Paris was besieged in 1870 Starvation was tho weapon principally used As soon, however, as tho city capitulated food was* rushed in to its starving inhabitants, ft was a big proposition to supply a starving city; but, compared with the proposition that is now looming in front Of us, it was as nothing. Tho prospect Seems to be that this summer will not end the war; that the Central Powers will be In a state of siege through winter, perhaps longer, and if so, when it ends, where is the food to supply the requirements of a starving world—for not only the fighting nations but neutrals also are feeling tho pinch—to come from? It is a time when everyone is called upon above all things to do his bit, and to do it with all his might. We are placing tho whole of our virilo manhood at our Empire's disposal, and it would almost seem as if to those left at home there was little - to do; but let us not think so. Every pound we can produce will be required in every kind of produce, and it is our duty to look forward and to prepare for the need that is sure to come. Does this apply to beekeepers? We think 80, and that in a way quite as urgently as to any other calling. We have been accustomed to regard honey as a delicacy, and because it has had only a very small place in the market as being little required. But honey as a food is. of more value than Either butter or sugar, and that gives it a Very high place. When famine come 6 all foods are reduced to one level, and that is the level of the need, and under those Circumstances honey will bo at least as welcome as any other. There is, however, another reason why this matter applies to the beekeeping industry. Nearly all other sources of food supply are being exploited to an extent that is in keeping Avith the position of the Dominion. In dairying and mutton and wool production, as well as in grain-growing, there is development; bub file utmost is being done. In honey-produc-tion wo are touching only the fringe. The latent possibilities are very great. Tho itmount of capital required for development 3 small as compared with almost any other Industry, while the labour is such as should appeal to those unfitted for the more arduous duties which come in and near the fighting-line. America has only just come into line and taken her place beside the other nations fighting in the cause of freedom; but already Dr E. F. Phillips, of tho Bureau of Entomology, Washington, has issued a circular letter to beekeepers, in which ho -6ays: "Beekeepers should do their utmost this year to increase production, not only by incrasing tho number of colonies in so far as it can bo done without decreasing the crop, but especially by giving their pees tho best of attention. Those who havo their bees in box hives are being urged, so far as they can bo reached, to adopt tho modern equipment; but this will be valueless unless they at the same timo adopt modern practices. Natural swarming should be curbed as much as possible, and increase should usually be made by artificial division. The crop may often be materially increased by giving the bees plenty of room for storage, for gathering often ceases when bees are overcrowded. In this regard many Commercial beekeepers are not doing their best. Those owning only a few colonies may profitably increase tho number of their Colonies; but _ they should remember that, Without intelligent caro, bees will not be profitable, except in rare seasons. The tendency at present is rightly to enoourago the professional beekeeper, who knows how to get tho most from his bees. The professional beekeeper, and thoso who wish to enter this class, should at once consider the establishment of additional apiaries, caro being exercised not to overstock any one locality. To those who have not begun outapiary management, this year promises to be a good time to make the start." If our Apiaries Department were alive or, at least, a good deal more alive than It is at present—registration of apiaries would be an accomplished fact, and an ♦ndeavour would be made to organise such sii effort as would have the heart 6f every beekeeper in the land. The editor of Gleanings nays that ho hopes the beekeepers of America will hear the special call directed to them in this year of war and world-wide want, and will pot fail. We echo that call to the beoSeepers of our Dominion, and hope that they, too, will not fail. SUGAR SHORTAGE AND HONEYPRODUCTION. There can be no doubt that there will be a sugar shortage in tho United States

lin the near future. The price has already advanced greatly, and it ie apparent that tha two Americas will have to furnish the , food for Europe as long as the great war lasts and for some time afterward. The price of everything is climbing, including honey. All indications show that it will be impossible to havo an over-production of extracted honey next year. The market has been cleaned up for extracted in bulk; and it is apparent that next _ year's crop will be snapped up at good prices. What those prices will be it is too early to predict. The slogan has gone out that every spot of land should be utilised for the growing of food crops. In the same way every bit of unoccupied bee territory should be utilised. If possible, the crop of extracted should be greatly increased. Even though the amount should exceed that of 1916 —and that was largo,—there cannot bo an overproduction. We are advised that the Bureau of Entomology appreciates the situation, and proposes to oarry on a campaign, by means of circular letters and otherwise, to increase at once tho crop of honey in the United States.—Gleanings.