BEE KEEPING IN NEW ZEALAND.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 38, 23 February 1884, Page 7

BEE KEEPING IN NEW ZEALAND.

On this subject the Oamaru Mail writes : —What has been accomplished by Mr Mills, of youth Oamaru, might without and very serious outlay, be accomplished on a much larger scale by every farmer in the district, and we specially direct their attention to the matter. Our correspondent's figures should be sufficient to show that bee-keeping is a far more profitable industry than those who have not carefully considered the matter would be inclined to believe it to be. A return of £25 for an outlay of only about £2 shows a margin of profit that should have the effect of inducing many a struggling farmer to turn his attent on to bee-keeping ; but even more than this return has been obtained by MiMills, for lie states that, after disposing of six swarms of bees, ho commences this season with more than double the number of hives lie hadat the beginning of last season, and with the prospect of obtaining a ton of honey. This, at thp price at which, last yeai's produce was sold, will give a return of over £37, and to this must be added the nm unit receivable from the sale' of 'some of the largo number of swarms of young bees, ami what the j.ncrea^ k is may, be imagined frouftuo JUiot wat our uorre's-

pondont's single hive of last season v 1,3 by n iturnl in crease 'multiplied by seu i n. At the same rate Mr Mills' present 3(5 hives sl.oukl nfc the end of the scat-m total up no less than 252, and the sum obtaihed from the sale of a" small proportion of tho incrense will bring ihe revenue up to si very tidy sum — a sum that should be highly appreciable to many farmers in a bad grain season. The outlay and labour in connection with bee- farming are ?o comparatively small, and the return so certain, that it is really surprising that it does not receive more attention. A few of our farmers we know do add a little to their incomes by its means, but by the majority bee-farming, like many other little industries that might be profitably pursued, is deemed beneath the dignity of a grain-grower.