BEE-KEEPING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19249, 15 February 1937, Page 2

BEE-KEEPING

POSITION AT WAIROA (Herald Correspondent.) The position of the bee-keeping industry in Wairoa, though not of great proportions, is manifestly improving. Hitherto carried on in a very haphazard manner, that dread disease, foul brood, look heavy toll and made bee-keeping a regular nightmare lo those engaged in it. However, it is dear that- since, under the Apiaries -Vet, the Government has taken control, the educative measures as well as inspection by competent, men have resulted in a vast, improvement. One of the considerations for the success of bee-culture is the extent and length of the clover season, and the absence of high winds. Contrary to the experience of tho, Auckland province, ttio flowering of the white clover has been Doth profuse and long, extended, and as a consequence there is a good crop and •‘the busy bee” is still working, though there is not- as much white clover as might be wished for. This could be greatly increased by the use of lime more, freely, for it is undoubted that lime brings on the clover where, betore dressing, it did not seem to exist: there are, of course, many other plants from which bees can draw honey, notably most of the legumes, and especially the tree lucerne, but like the wisest humans who do not mix their drinks, neither do the bees mix their honey with different odours, so they stick to clover while it is to he drawn from, and there fore all that is possible ,n a district like Wairoa is to increase the clover area and extend Iho dowering season, and to (his end lime is invaluable.

A few days ago an interesting demonstration was given at Hastings by Mr. Riesterer, Government apiarist, which was attended by two bee-keepers from Wairoa who had to travel about, 180 miles to hear what the expert had to say. and the comment of one of them was that lie had learnt more from this one demonstration than lie would have learned from more than a dozen books on bee-keeping. The demonstration was held on the farm of Miss Dalgleish. a relative of Mr. .Los Dalgliosh, of Wairoa. The first, demonstration was given by Mr. W. .1. C. Ashcroft on the latest American methods. He was followed by Mr. L. Riesterer, apiary instructor, who demonstrated autumn queen-roaring, and what was called “grafting.” Miss Dalgleish followed with a demonstration of wintering bees.