HONEY CROP PROSPECTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2932, 18 November 1916, Page 12

HONEY CROP PROSPECTS

Tho Director of the Horticulture Division of the Department of Agriculture lias received from the apiary instructors tho following reports" concerning the honey crop prospects:— Auckland.—The season is very late in tho Auckland districts this year, and' beekeepers are having to feed in many cases to prevent starvation. There is an abundance of clover in blossom, and we only require good, warm days for tho nectar to commenco to flow in. The prospects at prosent are good. "Wellington.—Since reporting last month the weather has been rather boisterous; but even so tho conditions generally appear favourable to a good lionoy_ crop being secured.' Christchurch.—Markets are bare, prjees are good both local and overseas. Beekeeping in tho Dominion has a very encouraging outlook if. wo onr* get tho-season. At tho present moment it is doubtful what tho season will bo m Canterbury. Boisterous weather that has been experienced during October with cold winds from east and south-west, has retarded brood-rearing to some extent. Less wind and a real good soaking rain with warm weather would put quite a different aspect on the future. My advice is to stiU feed a little, and keep tho queens laying, and have your colonies strong and ready -for tho honey flow when it does come. Dunedin.—There bas been, a steady flow from tho fruit bloom, and generally speaking, the bees are building up rapidly. It is full early yet to form an estimate of the coming season's crop, as weather conditions aro a deciding factor. ' The market is bare of supplies. Beeswax is scarce.