BEE-KEEPING.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1917, Page 8

BEE-KEEPING.

By "Clematis." Tiie schedule for the 1917 New Plymouth Winter Show did not draw the competition as previous years, hut with over 30 entries the display on the table was -very creditable, there being a splendid exhibition of honey and -products of the apiary. The display was confined to North Taranaki, exhibits hailing from Okato, Eahotu, Oraata, Vogeltown, Lepperton, and Midhirst. Hawera was not represented, the first time for many years. I hope next year will see South Taranaki help this part of Taranaki, which was looked upon for years as being in the background in regard to the production of honey. This opinion will soon bo exploded as several entries at the show were of great merit, especially considering the past poor season. Comb honey was not up to the standard of former years, but I have seen for sale sections of comb honey that would have done credit to the show table. The granulated honey tabled by Mrs. A. Andersen and Mr. T. N. Blackball was exceedingly good, grain, body and flavor • being first-class, and put up in first-ijlk-ss condition. The samples shown by E.JMlier and C. F. McGregor were good \ samples, 'but were spoiled by being heat- ' cd just prior to the show whilst putting [into the jars in which they were cxI hibited. The result was that the honey 1 was not in a perfect state of granulation as required for the show table. The liquid honey exhibited by A. Anderson and T. N. Blackball were samples showing good color, body and flavor, and a credit to the owners. In liquifying for show purposes it should, be noted that honey should be heated slowly, and until every visible particle is dissolved, and care taken not to get the'honey too hot and thus spoil the flavor. It must be (done immediately before the show, otherwise the samples will be cjoudy, thereby curtailing the chances of success. TJio production of commercial beeswax is one that has been neglected in North Tanmaki, but the samples put on the show table this year were of a high standard: in fact the seven samples shown were all worthy ot a prize. Care should be taken in cooling down after boiling, as it not only spoils the looks of the"l>lock, but it makes it brittle. Mead and vinegar are two good sidelines, and at jiext show ought to cause move competition. The samples shown by F. W. Sandford were quite equal to anvthing I have yet sampled. I trust that 'North Taranaki beekeepers will have marked and learned something from the recent show, and improve upon their methods during the coming season, and at the 1918 show come forward and show that Taranaki can hold i its own with any part of New Zealand 'in the production of honey, wax, mead and vinegar. Honey is one of the purest foods, and the land is capable of maintaining a good many persons from the I work "of the busy little bee. TEST OF HONEY. i Honey is known by its color, body and flavor. 'To have a good keeping honey it must have body or density, otherwise it will not keep long without fermenting, more especially if not kept in airtight jars or cans. Taranaki has a moist climate, and therefore requires a higher density than some other parts of New Zealand with a drier climate. I have tested a sample of honey this year belonging to a person who had honey at this show in standard below what I tested in January. This should not be. Can they say why? ' ~