HONEY-CROP PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 1, 15 January 1913, Page 116

HONEY-CROP PROSPECTS.

The Director of Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Division has received the following reports on the honey-crop prospects from the Apiary Instructors: —

Auckland. December has been an ideal month for beekeepers—white clover plentiful, and fine hot days. Honey has been coming in freely. Around Auckland it is getting rather dry, but the weather is now appearing to break, and should we get a good rain and then fine weather the yield of honey should be a record.— G. V. Westbrooke.

Wellington.—Owing to the favourable weather that has been experienced in the Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, and Taranaki Districts the prospects of a fair honey crop have materially improved.— F. A. Jacobsen.

Christchurch. —Recent rain has refreshed pastures. Should suitable weather follow there is every prospect of a record honey crop in Canterbury.. Honey is of excellent quality generally, owing to abundance of white clover. Many are extracting to relieve the congested condition < f the hives, as an extended flow of nectar from clover is anticipated.— L. Bowman.

Dunedin. —The prospects of a good honey crop are excellent. The spell of warm weather lately experienced has improved the growth of the clover, and there are now indications that a good average honey crop will be harvested.— E. A. Earp.

According to the London Times a strain of bees harmless to handle has been successfully hived by Mr. Burrows, of Boughton, Essex. The bees, which have been obtained by mating a Cyprian drone with an Italian queen, are very active workers, and Mr. Burrows claims that they are less liable to disease than, the ordinary English bees. The new bees are not stingless, but the sting' is innocuous. One hive this year yielded over 200 lb. of honey. .