HONEY-CROP PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 6, 16 June 1913, Page 679

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.—From the latest reports received it seems that some beekeepers have overestimated. their ' honey-yields, but notwithstanding this the average yields for the Auckland districts have been good. Prices have an upward tendency, and most of the producers have now placed their surplus honey at prices from 10s. 6d. to Ils. 6d. per dozen for 2 lb. tins, and from Is. to Is. 2d. each for 2 lb. glass jars. Some of the beekeepers .have had further inquiries for more honey, but have not. been able to supply. Requests for section honey have also been received here from Dunedin merchants, offering from 6s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. per dozen for 1 lb. sections; but owing to the poor prices obtained in the past for this class of honey there is very little on the market. The quality of the honey this year has been very good, and only a small percentage of inferior grades have been obtained. Beeswax is bringing higher prices this year, Is. sd. to Is. 6d. per pound being offered.— G. V. Westbrooke. Wellington.—The prices ruling last month have not changed up to dateviz., 4d. per pound and over for bulk. Wholesale price of 2 lb. tins, 10s. to Ils. per dozen; 21b. glass jars, 13s. to 14s.- per dozen. Most of the produce is being sold in bulk lots, and a shipment is now being graded in Taranaki for the Home market. This will have a tendency to harden prices. Beeswax is realizing Is. 6d. per pound. F. A. Jacobsen. Christchurch.—There' is a steady retail trade doing, prices for sections and extracted honey being the same as last iiionth. An advance in retail prices is anticipated very soon. Beekeepers have a fair stock on hand, and do not seem too keen to, sell. No doubt the export of honey recently will materially help in maintaining a fair price. A cable offering 4d. in bulk for honey exported and Government-graded has been received, but not accepted,,the producer anticipating.a better price when the honey is landed. The first consignment of 10. tons left on the Ist May.- - The second consignment of 8|- tons left on the 29th May. The third consignment is coming to hand to be graded.— L. Bowman. . ■ Dunedin.—There• is practically , no alteration in the local honey-market. Bulk honey is in good demand. The first consignments of pat honey opened up well, and lots brought at auction s|d. to 6|d. per pound. Good, sections are still in request at 7s. per dozen. — E. A. Earp: .. „

Beds of carrots, parsnips, and beet-root, on light land, at Ruakura Barm of Instruction, ■ grown for winter use .resulted- in failure, owing to the grass-grub. On heavier soil the grub was absent, and good crops of these vegetables resulted.

In order to encourage the production . of wool in Canada the Dominion Department of Agriculture has appointed a sheep specialist and two expert wool-sorters (who will' take charge of the sorting of.wool at shearing-sheds), while, for the current year it will pay 25 per cent, of the- freight charges on wool from port of shipment to the London market.