THE HONEY CROP

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2431, 9 April 1915, Page 8

THE HONEY CROP

UNSATISFACTORY SEASON. The Director of the Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Division of the Agricultural Department ihas received from the Apiary Instructors the following reports conccrning honey crop prospects:— Auckland.—There is nothing further to report since last month> 1 Wellington.—Most crops have been extracted, but unfortunately, tho average of past years has not been , maintained; There is, however, an exception in one district—Palmerston North —where a record crop has been Gathered. It is gratifying to 'know that the beekeepers have moved in the right direction, namely, to co-operate, and there is every indication that the company so formed will receive the support it merits. Owing te the Smallness of the honey crop generally and the operations of the company with shareholders throughout the Dominion, there is a substantial prosper of a material advance _on former prices. Christchurch.—Active 'work in the apiary is gradually drawing to a close, and attention to- wintering haß commenced, some finished, others are a little behind and have the final extracting to do. It is anticipated grading for ex<port will commence at Lyttelton shortly ; but there will not be so much honey available owing to the poor, season. Recent reports state there is little doing, sales slow and prices slightly less at Home. The local trade prices are slightly better this year. It is advisable to,,examine all stocks to 6ee they have ample _ stores for ' winter and spring. During March quite a number of.stocks have come under.-notice.dying of; starvation, a most unusual thing for this time of ' the! year. j - Dunedin.—With the exception of a few_ isolated. districts. reports .'generally indicate a .poor season. This is the worst season in the memory of the veteran- beekeepers in Southland. Extracting is finished and beekeepers are closing down for the winter.