BEEKEEPING ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1871, 21 February 1880, Page 3

BEEKEEPING ASSOCIATION.

A number of persons interested in apiculture met last night in Si. Michael's schoolroom for the purpose of considering the advisability of establishing a Beekeepers' Association in Christchurch. Mr C. W. Adams was voted to the chair. In opening the proceedings, he regretted that there was such a small attendance, which was partly attributable to the small amount of publicity which the proposed meeting had had. He might say that all present were agreed upon one point, which was the desirability of the formation of an association for the promotion of the science of apiculture similar to kindred societies in the old country. Dr. Irving, who had taken a great interest in the subject, and who was present, would express his views for the information of thoae present. Dr. Irving said he had drawn up some observations, the result of his experience in beekeeping, which he should be happy to read to the meeting as follows : The object we have in view in establishing this association is the extension of the most humane and profitable system of apiculture by which any person with a fair amount of attention and perseverance, and without destroying annually any of his stocks, to secure a comparatively small amount of honey, may be enabled not only to preserve them alive and increase them to the utmost extent of his accommodation, but to realise an amount of profit of from 100 to 600 per cent, upon his outlay. The introduction of the honey slinger by means of which honey in its purest state is extracted and the comb preserved, is amongst many other things which this Association is desirous of making more widely known. This happy invention entirely supersedes the system of destroying the comb to obtain the honey which is a most objectionable practice, for thus not only is the delicious nectar rendered impure by contamination with the crushed brood and the flavoring matter of the farina, but ten times the value of the comb as wax is lost, by the precious time of the bees wasted in building new comb, which time would be more profitably spent in storing honey for their owner. Very few people are aware how readily they might add to their incomes by a very small outlay of time and money spent upon bees, besides the pleasure they would derive while engaged in one of the most interfacing of all rural pursuite, and the knowledge that they were adding to the beauty and fertility of their own fields and gardens, and assisting in securing tons of honey and wax that would otherwise be wasted for want of bees to gather it. This is a feature particularly worthy of notice here in New Zealand, where there is such excellent pasturage for bees, and where sugar is so much dearer than in England, nor do I see why honey should not become a considerable article of export from this country, and be a means of bringing more capital into it. Any one possessed of a small plot of ground or an unused out-house, in which a few hives could be placed, might easily engage in so desirable a pastime. I could cite many instances of the profitable nature of beekeeping, but will be content with one. Two persons, who kept their bees upon the old system of destroying the bees to secure the harvest of honey, without supering, realised from twenty-eight stocks an average of 17s per stock, and left thirty-one stocks for the next year. But by the more skilful management which we are anxious to make known, one gentleman exhibited at the Crystal Palace show in 1874, 9071 b. of pure honey from twelve hives, without destroying any bees, and left them sufficient provision for th« winter. We therefore suggest apiculture to all who desire to add to the quiet beauty of those picturesque cottages, which are so numerous ; to all who are anxious to increase the comforts and love of home of the laboring population, by promoting one of the most instructive pursuits, which no one, who has once devoted a little time and attention to, would willingly relinquish. To all in fact who wish to foster habits of thrift, of temperance and patient industry amongst their fellow-countrymen, this association is specially commended. To such we commend a perusal of the following rules, in which is set forth the means contemplated for the extension and improvement of bee culture, and while inviting the hearty co-operation of all classes, would suggest that much may be done by example. Show a man a good result and he naturally seeks the means to obtain the same. Teach him to help himself, start him if necessary with a good pattern hive, and perhaps a swarm of bees, which he may repay from its inorease, and soon it will be found that the little busy bee will assist greatly in paying the rent. After some discussion, a resolution was passed affirming the desirability of the formation of the proposed association, and the following 1 rules were considered and adopted : 1. That the name of the Association be the Christchurch Beekeeper's Association. 2. That its objects shall be the encouragement, improvement, and advancement of the culture —particularly as a means of bettering the condition of cottagers, agricultural, and other laboring classes, as well as the advocacy of) humanity—of that industrious laborer, the " Honey Bee." 3. That the officers shall consist of a president, vice-president, a general committee, a secretary and treasurer. 4. That the management of the association shall be vested in the acting committee, of which the secretary and treasurer shall be ex officio members. 5. The annual subscription shall be not less than five shillings (ss) for working members and for honorary members. 6. There shall be an annual exhibition of apicultural objects. 7. An ordinary general meeting shall take plaoe once a year. The following proposed rules remain in abeyance : 8. The committee shall purchase annually one or more swarms and bar-framed hives, to be drawn for by members at the annual meeting. 9. As soon as, and so far as the funds of the association will allow it, the committee shall endeavor to carry out the objects of the association by means of lectures, demonstrations, meetings and the circulation of scientific books and periodicals to spread a knowledge of all improvements and best possible methods of bee-keeping and the acquirement of such machinery as may be desirable for producing foundation comb, &c. After the adoption of the foregoing rules as specified, the majority present enrolled their names as members of the association, and Dr. Irving and Mr C. Hull expressed their willingness to receive the names and subscriptions of persons wishing to become members.

It was suggested that members should become subscribers to the various periodicals devoted to the pursuit of boe-keeping. After further discussion, the meeting adjourned until 5 p.m. on Monday, in the Domain, where, by demonstration and viva voce statement, Dr. Irving would impart additional information to parsons interested, a subsequent general meeting to be called at a place to be agreed upon for the completion of the rules and the election of officers, &c. The meeting then adjourned.