BEES.

Southland Times, Issue 1531, 30 January 1872, Page 3

BEES.

The subject of bee-farming: ia creating a considerable amount of attention just now in England, more especially as affording an increase to the income of the working man. One authority on the subject says that he should like to see a fair trial between agriculture and apiculture — that is between the farmer and his laborer. He agrees that if any farmer, amateur or practical, will pit five of his best acres, cultured to the highest degree, against ten hives of bees, he will accept the challenge ; the trial to last three years in order to cover a rotation of crops by the farmer, and give the bees a chance of getting a favorable year for gathering honey. He also gives the result of his bee-farming for the last season, one of the most unprofitable that has been for eight or ten years. The season before his profits were £58, leaving forty -five hives in his possession as stock. From these the income from the sales of honey and honeycomb, swarms and hives of bees, with increase of stock, was £72. His expenses, which he states were more than usually heavy, were as follows : — New hives and boards, £9 ; rent, £5 5s ; carriage, £5 15s ; feeding, £3 ss ; felt for covers, £1 ; sundries, £5 ; total, £29 5a ; leaving a profit of £42 15s. The amount of honey exported from New Zealand is so very small, that it must be admitted that comparatively little attention has been bestowed upon this branch of industry. But by entering into the business in as scientific a manner as the means at our disposal may admit, and by turning out a superior article, there appears to be no reason why honey and beeswax in New Zealand should not become an important article of export, and give profitable employment to many of our inhabitants. The climatic advantages which New Zealand offers we should imagine, were equal if not superior, to those of England, and another point in favor of bee-farming that is worthy of the attention of those in humble circumstances more especially is, that the first outlay is very inconsiderable.