HONEY PRODUCTION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5073, 10 January 1927, Page 2

HONEY PRODUCTION.

COMMERCIAL POSSIBILITIES. DIFFICULTIES OF BLENDING. In an addie.ss. on the honey industry and its commercial possibilities Mr H. F. Miller, president of the Apiarists’ Association p'f Victoria, recently said that the honey flora of the Commonwealth excelled that of any other part of the world. Australian honey had a greater concentration and food value than that produced in any other country. The flora of the native trees of Australia were unique in that they all blossomed, and were suitable 'for honey production. Bees were of great value, as fertilisers for economic plants, and it was important that Australia should encourage bee farming. The average production of honey from frame hives was 62%1b a year, and from box hives 12%1b. Scientific methods had increased the production and also the quality. Production in Victoria last yea r amounted to more, than 4,000,0901 b of honey and 47,0001 b of beesxvax. In 1918 Victoria exported worth of honey, but the trade had been ruined by improper methods o’f marketing. Apiarists were making a determined effort to place the marketing of honey on a sound basis, and plans were being completed 'for export on a large scale. At present America was the most highly organised and the largest exporting country. The consumption of honey a head of population in Australia was 11b, and in America 2%1b to 31b a year. In Australia many l varieties of honey were produced, making it difficult to maintain a uniform standard. This could be overcome bj’ proper methods o'f blending and standardisation . There were in Victoria more than 47,000 hives and 3000 beekeepers. In New Zealand, under Government control, the quantity of honey exported had increased •from 132 tons in 1914 to 815 tons in 1925. There was need in Australia for similar control of the export trade to ensure standardisation of production for overseas trade.