BEEKEEPING.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1918, Page 7

BEEKEEPING.

NORTH TARANAKI BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

(By "Clematis.' 1 )' . The want "of something to bring together beekeepers do, that matters affecting their interests may .be discussed, has resulted in the above association being formed; and hopes are held out that everyone ..having becs, if only a hive or two, will become members. "Unity is strength," so anyone in town or country should send along his sub. to Mr. Sandford, "Tainui," Vogeltown, and, if possible, roll up to any monthly meeting, and get or give the association information, that will be of, interest. The initial'meeting, resulted in a well attended meeting of beemcn, and the > formation of a good 'association, the president, vice-president, secretary-.and the committee being ! all practical beekeepers.

The fitst' work of. the association will be the securing of assistance in marketing honey, the getting of beekeepers' supplies, inspection of bees, and information on '{lie " best method of handling beei and honey, and the holding of a field day, when, it is hoped, the apiaries inspector will be present. The next meeting of the association will be next Wednesday evening at the technical college, at, 7.30 .p.m., March C. 1 SHOW HONEY. Thave previously appealed to beekeepers to keep their" hest for this competition in June, and I would like to remind intending' competitors that for granulated honey classes honey should be put into the vessels intended'for bligw at the time of bottling after extracting, and leapt airtight 1 ii> a dry cool place. Sections should "Be evenly filled, the comb firmly attached'to the four sHea, free from propolis or other pronounced strains, cappings and comb white, and fret; from popholes. In frame comb honey the frame should be square and evenly filled, cappings white, and free from pop holes. Frames should be as free as possible from propolis or stain and selected from first year frames and free from brood. Liquid' honey should fill tile bottle. Color if possible light or medium amber, and Showing plenty of density. . * Granulated Honey should be .of fme grain, 'having a nice light amber color and hard and dry with a good showing aroma.

In: last::year's winter show I noticed an entry of honey in -the granulated class that had been heated in the bottle previous to the show. This 6ad a detrimental effect and told against its chances. In the liquid class ft samplo was tabled that 'had good color and flavor, but fras very deficient in density or toßdv.

Beekeepers have had timely warnings in these columns of extracting and maturing honeyj and there consequently should be no cause for negligence on a beekeeper's part.' ' I hope that Messrs McGregor, Shaw, Blackball, TJcllier, Meyer, Mesdames Meyer and Anderson will*"bo back again at the next show, as well as new aspirants for the cup, donated by. the previous winner, Mr. F. W. Sandford. 'I-! Understand Mr. Sandford does not intend to compete this year; but I hope to'see, Miss Sandford como out in two or three classes.

A beekeeper from New Plymouth tried conclusions with the beenien at the Hawera show and scored first in granulated honey and third in liquid. T have just tested two samples of liquid honey,, and both« proved gbqd' samples, grown or manufactured within 100 chains of New Plymouth post office- . The tests by hydrometer at <l2 degrees' temperature is 1.432J and 1.437%. samples have good color, flavor, and K a white clover honey as near as \yf can possibly get it.

T Should be glad to receiver sampleof hbriey for testing; address/fclematiß," care Daily N«wj office.