APIARISTS MEET

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 3, 4 September 1945, Page 8

APIARISTS MEET

WHAKATANE BRANCH OF ASSOCIATION BEEKEEPING METHODS The monthly meeting of the Whakatane branch of the National Beekeepers Association was held in the High School on Tuesday evening. In the absence of Mr T. B. Hubbard, Mr McMahon took the elixir. After the usual business had been dealt with ? the meeting was handed over to Mr Paterson, Government Apiary Instructor, who spoke on a number of matters concerning the apiarist. His first subject dealt with the old method of beekeeping versus the new. In the early days conditions differed greatly to those in force today. Then, returns were judged by the number of swarms whereas now ? they are judged by the tons of 'honey produced. The aim of the modern beekeeper is to reduce swarming to a minimum.

Since the introduction of the standardised hive with' removable combs and the method, of extraction by centriiical force, beekeeping has made rapid strides.

Spring management was also dealt with and Mr Paterson stressed the importance of knowing just exactly what to look for when opening a hive, at this time of the year, i.e. the presence of the Queen and her condition strength of hive, condition of brood, amount of stores and any signs of disease. The ensuing crop of lionc3 r he said, was more or

less dependant on the Spring Management.

Also present was Mr Tuck a returned soldier, who gave has impressions of beekeeping in the various countries he had visited, Tompared to Syria ? Palestine, Greece, Egypt, North Italy and England, New Zealand Avas a veritable beekeepers' paradise. The methods employed in this country, he said were very much more up to date, and although he contacted apiarists wherever he he was unable to learn anything new. He considered in fact that New Zea-

land 'had it over' all the ether places he had seen, and put this down mainly to the fact that Government Apiary Instructors were kept on the job.

After a vote of thanks to the speakers and the answering of several supper was served and the meeting brought to a close-.