THE APIARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3524, 27 September 1921, Page 7

THE APIARY.

By

J. A.

COMB HONEY PRODUCTION. t Miss Fowls, one of the able writers for Gleanings, says: "During the war we urged all our readers to produce extracted rather than comb honey, simply because the world was starving for more sweets, and we knew that more eximeted honey could be produced per colony. But now, under the changed conditions, we would advise all experienced beekeepers who have been producing comb honey in (he past to return to their pre-war practice of producing comb honey. We believe there will be good money in it the coming year ; and yet this aplies only to the experienced beekeeper—not to the beginner. 'I he latter would do well to confine himself entirely to extracted honey production until ho becomes sufficiently skilled to take up she expert woiK of_producing comb honey.” We have, on previous occasions, referred to a return to at least, a larger production in comb honey, and the above quotation expresses very much flow we feel in the matter. To advise all and sundry to do this would probably mean failure to a good many, especially of those who had little or no experience in comb honey production, and at the same time it would have a prejudicial effect on the honey market by placing cn it a fair proportion of what could not be termed a gilt-edged article. Comb honey to be a success must be produced near to a good market, as no freedom can be used in shipping it for long distances. If must also be a well-finished article of honey, that is both palatable and has a good appearance. la this respect that which is produced in a clover district, and more especially if it is harvested before the yellow tints of autumn flowers get into it, stands alone. It is hard to conceive any greater luxury to place on the tea table than a well-finsshed article in clover honey. On the other hand if a large proportion of the sections are not properly finished, if t hey weigh 12oz or 13oz instead of 16oz; if the sealing is not completed and if the honey is watery and not well ripened then the experienced honey user would sooner have well-ripened extracted honey, and all the extra cost of production is lost. Having the above facts in view we strongly advise inexperienced beekeepers to go slow on the comb honey problem. If, however, they have any leaning in that direction and would like to have a hand in then we should _ say do so, but gain your experience with only a limited number of colonies. The faults of incomplete sections inferior in grade are not to be remedied by leaving it a little longer on the hive. The whole secret of success lies in getting and keeping a big population in the colonies. It is much more difficult to prevent swarming when running for comb honey than when working_ for the extracted article, and on the ability to do this more than anything else depends success. A colony that swarms when working sections is practically done, for the season, everything hinged on keeping those workers together until they had finished their job. It is the ability to keep the bees together and to keep them working with vim that more than anything else in comb honey production tests the skill of the beekeeper; and it is easy for any one fo imagine the loss that results from ending the season with a large proportion of the sections unfinished. Knowing these facts we advise in the matter only with a good deal of caution. We have a feeling that in our cities there is room for a first-grade article at a p ayable pr.ee, and that in all probability the market could be rapidly developed until quite a good trade was effected in what undoubtedly is one of nature’s finest and most health-giving sweets. But it: can only be perfect from -a consumer's point of view if a perfect article is produced, and fioin a beekeeper’s point of view if through knowledge and experience he can produce without waste either of material or effort. Like Miss Fowls, then we deal cautiously with the subject, and would like to see old hands take up the work again. There is a pleasure in producing a finished article ir, comb honey that is its own commendation. No one can look at really nice comb honey well got up and fee! that his work was for nothing.