GRADING OF HONEY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3106, 9 June 1917, Page 8

GRADING OF HONEY

AN INTERESTING'DISCUSSION

During the conference of bee-keepers yesterday afternoon, Jlr. L. W. Sago (Waikato) read a paper which purported to be a criticism of the present grading system. One of tho sneaker's chief contentions was that in tho scale of points quality should count for a good deal more than it docs, whilst less points might bo allotted for colour and aroma. Quality, in which ho would iiicludo flavour,-' should count for everything. It was only given. -10 points, when it should be at least 75. They had not the varying colours of honey that they had in America, and the sneaker thought that the points allowed for colour might be dispensed with altogether, and the eight points for aroma- could be included in the marks for quality.

Mr. Ward, of Cliristchurch, in criticising the paper, agreed with Mr. Sago that the quality should be given more consideration, colour a secondarv place, and the grain last. He thought that the question of grain might be modified' in the grading, as Mr. Wright had told them that the honey was reliquified at Home, and that it did not granulate the same.. A system of grading would have to be evolved which would be applicable to the markets of the world thev wished to exploit. The speaker also referred to a very dark hoimv among the Government "exhibits, which he noticed was graded a deal higher than the hSney produced in Canterbury.

Mr. T. W. ICirk'fof the Agricultural Department) stated that there were Hi rep classes—white; light amber, and dark— the colour determined the grade, but a honey could scoro the highest points iu its own class.

Mr. Alien said that he did not. wish to say anything about the paper, but thev were, making real progress—they had a grading system, and they could now be quite sure that no low-grade honey was finding its way to tho English market.

Mr. Gilling (Honey Producers' 'Association )snid that the H/P.A. had been accused of grading only by colour, aud that was so to a great extent, particularly as far as the operations during the season, because a special price had been asked for clover honey

Mr. Earp (Government grader) mado an explanation in order to clear the air as to tho difference between class and grade. Colour determined tho class and not the grade. Having found the class of a honey, the grader then proceeded to allot the points.

A voice: Could a honey in C class score 10(1 points?

Mi - . Earp: It is not likely, but it is possible.

Mr. T. W. Kirk answered iJie chief points in tho paper in a semi-humorous manner. Mr. Sage had suggested that a grader might not be able to crade after drinking three or four whiskies and smoking a cigar. He could unite imagine that Mr. Sage or himself would not bo able to grade after such indulgence, but the graders did not so indulge before they did their work. They, might afterwards to take the taste of tho honey out of their mouth. They would appreciate that if they saw some of the samples they had to taste. Finally, Mr. Kirk referred to the difficulties in getting the grading system going as far as they had gone, but they were always ready to hear suggestions which might benefit the grade note, and ho suggested that a small committee should be set up to consider any points of value which might bring about any real improvement, only they must bear in mind that any alterations made must bo such as to suit the grading of tho whole of tho produce of tho Dominion and not that consigned through one particular firm.

Mr. Teed asked whether the Government could uot issue certificate;, to people entitling them to grade honey for the local market.

Mr/ Kirk said thev had not considered the point, but they had done something in regard to other industries. In the caso of the fruit industry, growers were troubled with peoplo who wont round offering to prune and spray tho trees. In some cnsFs these peoplo were frauds, and the police went after them. For that reason they issued certificates to those who passed an examination in practice and writing, in pruning, spraying, grading, and packing. There was a certificate for one or more of those accomplishment- 1 ;. He did not see why something of the kind could not be done in respect to honey for local consumption.