THE FARM.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 103, 16 March 1880, Page 4

THE FARM.

BEE KEEPING. The science of agriculture is receiving considerable attention just now in the Colony especially in Canterbury, where a meeting was held lately in the St. Michael's schoolroom, Christchurch, for the purpose of considering the advisability of establishing a Beekeepers’ Association in Christchurch. The objects of the Society went n.v plained by Dr Irvine, who pointed out how peculiarly well adapt' , 1 New Zealand is for the successful prosecuof this industry, by which a protit of from 100 to 600 per cent on the original outlay may be obtained by any person who devotes a fair amount of attention and perseverance to it, 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 he more profitably spent in storing honey for their owner. The Rev Gr. Wilks also delivered a lecture on the subject which is thus reported in the Weekly Press -—■“ The Rev G. Wilks lectured in the public gardens on tire bar-framed beehive, as adapted by him for the use of cottagers and others in this Colony. The rev. gentleman explained that he had no pecuniary interest whatever in this or any other form of hive, his sole desire being to induce people to venture upon an interesting and profitable undertaking. Ho then showed one of the hives, as manufactured by Mr W. Lucas, of Knightstown, and in explaining the details of its construction and management, he pointed out how various modifications might be adopted to suit individual tastes or requirements. The audience was a numerous one, and amongst the gentlemen present was Mr Earl! of Blenheim, who for many years has practised bee-keeping on a large scale, and with highly satisfactory pecuniary results. Mr Earll decided to adopt the bar-framed system for the future, feeling perfectly satisfied that he will thereby largely increase his profits. Atsp.ru. when the attendance had been considerably increased, and included a fair sprinkling of ladies, Dr Irving once more afforded enjoyment by exhibiting the working of his experimental hive. The amount of work which had been accomplished by the bees, and the admirable regularity of the sheets of comb, astonished and delighted every one. As a point of interest, it may be mentioned that this season bees generally are producing an unusually large amount of brood, inaddition toaveryfair yield of honey. This forms a marked contrast to the results of last season, when both broods and honey could be obtained but sparingly. Most of the bee-keepers present were decidedly of opinion that the form of hive shown by Dr Irving was bv far the best, affording more easy manipulation, and in every way enabling the apiarian to control the bees to any desired extent. The only drawback hinted at, was the primary cost, but Dr Irving showed in a practical way, how this objection could be met, by exhibiting a modified hive which might he manufactured for a few shillings. A number of members were added to the recently formed Apiarian Society.” Mr Earll has now on his premises specimens of the hives referred to, and will be glad to show them to any visitor, and explain how to use them. No part of New Zealand is better suited to bee-keeping than the "VVairau, and is an industry which may be largely and profitably developed here at a very small cost.