HONEY CROP OUTLOOK

Shannon News, 4 January 1928, Page 2

HONEY CROP OUTLOOK

GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES. The Government estimates of the New Zealand hou y crop as at the end of November, foreshadow a yield of over the average if favourable weather prevails. In th" Auckland district the bees have made a wonderful recovery from the bad early spring, and promise to finish up well. In Waikato the boos are mostly working in their [bird box, with an abundan; clover crop prevailing-. Favourably weather may yield a record output. Jiawke's Bay had a stormy November, but the clover pastures are g'ood. and lair summer weather should give :.!n aveiage result. Wellington and Taranaki also eneounte.od a cold-and stormy November, but, wi'.h. artificial feeding, the bee strength has brum kept normal, and favourable weather from now on .should give a pood crop. The Nelson position is that the 1 little headway gamed in th e mildness l of October was cheeked during- November,, and the moumain snow is still almo\ down to the winter line. White, clover is plentiful, and there is a profusion of the valuable ■ cabbage,.iee bloom. The final result is yet uncertain. Canterbury bees consumed immense quanthics of store,* "during the November squalls, but clover pasturage is abundant., and a good recovery depends on the weather from now onward. Otago report;; call this the worst of a series oi: three bad springs. Colony strength is backward. especially through Southland, except on the south coast. Honey flora has been plentiful but unavailable owing to the weather; and artificial feeding still

goes on. The clover pasture in some parts is now well in, but later in Southland.