BEEKEEPING.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1918, Page 2

BEEKEEPING.

\ By "Clematis." HAWAII A WINTER SHOW. The Tanuiaki Winter Shows are now > over, and seeing that South Taratiaki is considered one of the best houey-pro-centres in the North Island, it is surprising that such little interest is taken at its Winter Show to riu-cner the cause of beekeeping and the honey industry in whidi there is great scope for our returned soldiers, etc. "'' , " (North Taranalci does not many large commercial apiaries, mVi'ili'p" 1 ,people are beginning to realise that'there' is money in bees, if only as a side lifie." (Small apiaries are gradually increasing, and the number of hives in (North Tarana-; ki is steadily going up. The displays a.t out (New Plymouth winter show's hav£ now been for many years a credit to the small apiaries in our midst. Wei have' (not for the last two years had any assii-" jtanco from our Southern-cracks, but it r is distinctly creditable that some of our amateurs can compete and 'score against the Southern kings. Miss Sandford and (Mrs Hellier must "be congratulated upontheir success at Hawe'ra.' Mrs Hellier is only ft novice at the game'/'fiaving taken I it up to perserve her son's' interest in' J the industry while he is away doing his | bit for his King and Country.- ■ WARMTH AND FOOD, After the continuous wet weather-see. if the. mats over the frames are damn.! If so, replace with dry ones; Two or three mats are advisable to keep the bees warm. Hives that have & good young queen will be laying now, and it is very important that the food supply and brood rearing should be kept up. To this end a little syrup, twice a week, in a division board feeder would encourage the queen to continue laying. Keep the queen laying and plenty of food in the hives and you will have a strong force of bees to begin the coming season's operations, and replace those that have done duty through the winter and which are gradually dying off. NORTH TARANAKI BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. At the last meeting ways and means of assisting beekeepers was fully discussed, and it was decided to send out circulars to bring before beekeepers the advantage of membership. Anyone not receiving one should get in touch with the Secretary. Many have taken little interest in the production of honey on account of the disposal of their outputs, but the Association lias the matter wider consideration and hoped to warrant its existence and to be of assistance to its members and the industry. HONORARY INSTRUCTORS. ' The Agricultural Department has appointed three local men to assist the Department in assisting the beekeepers in North' Taranaki, and anyone requiring assistance should communicate with, the Secretary of the local Association. Mr Jacobsen, Government Apiary Instructor, is always in a, luirry when on an official visit to this end' of Taranaid. It is to be regretted that he could not find time to call an each of the newly appointed men to assist his department here while on a visit to this locality..