BEEKEEPING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1758, 29 November 1917, Page 2

BEEKEEPING.

AT this critical time in the history of our vast empire, when the production of foodstuffs is essential to maintain our great armies in the field, it behoves the land culturist, and every other person engaged in food production, to use all the skill known to science in their endeavours to provide an addition to last year’s returns. Keekeeping, although at present a minor industry, requires to no less an extent than other industries of a similar nature, the application of initiative and hard work at high pressure, in order to prove to the people and the Government that the confidence it has secured is by no means misplaced. It is particularly necessary that the production of honey must be increased at this juncture, owing to the great shortage of sugar in the countries of our allies. Every pound of honey produced releases a pound of butler for other uses, and honey is a superior food calculated to assist our soldiers to maintain their awful physical tests of endurance and hardship. The beekeepers of the Dominion must exert their supreme endeavours to increase last season’s estimated crop of 2,160,000 lbs. to 2,500,000 lbs. this season. Italy recently purchased thousands of tons of honey from U.S.A., and England requires to no less an extent the benefit of the Dominion’s production of highly concentrated foodstuffs. The staff of the Apiaries Division, Department of Agriculture, is anxious to assist by every means in its power this laudable object.