THE APIARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3512, 5 July 1921, Page 7

THE APIARY.

By

J. A

At the Beekeepers’ Conference at Auckland, at a social meeting on the evening of June 9th, a very pleasing function was an endeavour to, in a tangible way, recognise Mr Kirk s services to the industry oil the occasion of his retirement from the Government service. The recognition took the form of an illuminated address signed by the president, vice-president and executive of the “National,” and read as follows; “On the occasion of your retire raent from the service of the department, the president and executive of the National Beekeepers’ association of New Zealand feel they cannot let the occasion pass without conveying to you the sincere thanks ot alt those engaged in the beekeeping industry for the untiring efforts made by you for the development of and improvement of the system of beekeeping in this Dominion. The very great strides made in the industry of late years are, we feel, largely due to the interest and support given by you in your official capacity. We sincerely hope that your years of retirement will be many, and that you ar.d Mrs Ivirk may be biessed with good'Ticalth to enjoy them. ’ Mr Kirk responded in suitable terms, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. There is a kindly feeling towards Mr Kirk through out the beekeepers of the Dominion, especially amongst those who have attended the conferences, and it was very fitting That he should be elected president of our association for the incoming year. Ilia work during tlie year and in the president’s chair at nexc conference will not be the least helpful of the many helps he has given our industry ISLE OF WIGHT DISEASE. Mr J. Hopkins, in his contribution to conference on this subject, was able to give the result of recent research in connection with this disease. During recent years it has spread throughout Britain, and has caused tremendous damage, estimated in millions sterling. The origin or cause of the disease could not be discovered, and beekeepers were absolutely helpless to prevent its spread. Beginning in the Isle of Wight, it crossed to the mainland, and rapidly spread over England, Wales, and Scotland. Beekeepers in other countries have lived in fear that the scourge would spread to them, and have on that account prohibited the import of bees from countries in which it was known to exist. From Mr Ilopkin’s paper we gather that the cause of the trouble has at last been discovered through the very liberal donation ox £SOO per annum foi five years made by Mr A. 11. E. Wood, of Glassel, Scotland. Research was continued by Dr John Rennie-, chief of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Aberdeen, the rc-sult being that the disease is traced to a mito found in the respiratory organs of the bee. This mite increases in numbers until it chokes the adult bee. The name given to this hitherto undescribed customer is Tarsonemus woedi. From liis habitat we should say he- must be very small, but the lantern slide pictures show a very formidable looking insect. Having discovered the cause of the trouble, it now remains to find a preventive or cure. One naturally thinks of the many antiseptics, but in other troubles, notably in foul brood, these have not proved of much value. There is. however, no doubt that research will be continued until some cure has been found. The Auckland conference passed a vote of thanks to' Mr Wood for his liberality, to be conveyed to him by Mr Hc-pkins. HONEY PRODUCERS’ ASSOCIATION. The annual report of this association and particularly the chairman’s address make very pleasant reading, and it was very satisfactory to find that they were favourably received, more especially as it was reported that unfavourable criticism was likely to be encountered. The condition# during the year have not been normal markets for all primary products have been falling, and it is indeed very satisfactory that the price of honey has boon su well maintained. We heartily agree with tlie statement made by Mr Bricked that it was not fair to the management or the shareholders to allow the capital account to remain as it was. The directorate had to -sign a guarantee for a very large sunt, and this .should be borne by the whole company. The time is not opportune for" increasing the capital of the company, but beyond the natural increase that is going on steadily a special effort is required to put the business on a more solid footing. Mr Kyland -as manager, -and Mr Ren foul as chairman of directors, are to be congratulated on good work done.