BEE-KEEPING.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1920, Page 6

BEE-KEEPING.

(By ''Clematis.")

The main time of the beekeeper is now at hand, and his methods and actions depend upon his success or failure for the present season. If he has watched the weather, and the progress of the bees in the individual hives, and worked his supers accordingly, from now and.up to New Year should be made the first extraction of th'is season's honey. Inland in good dairying districts, where white clover is predominant, beekeepers have boen able to get a good extraction of honey. After the first take, if the weather is suitable for the flow of nectar, extractions can be made at about three weeks' intervals up to the end of January or the middle of February, 'flic jjrade of honey produced will vary according to the pastures or flowers from which the nectar is gathered, and of the condition of the combs when extracted.

To obtain a good keeping honey, extract when the combs are capped, but when the apiarist has a good working plant, frames partly capped can be put through the extractor, and the honey well ripened in the honey tank. I have carried this out in my own apiary with excellent results, thereby getting a far larger return of honey for the season. In adopting this system no chance must be taken in ripening the honey in the tank before canning otf. The honey tank should not be more than 18 to 24 inches deep, and after standing three or four days should be skimmed of particles of wax and scum that may have settled on the top. Particular' attention should be given to its condition before running oft' into tins, bottles, etc., holding it for the market, and should not be tinned till it thickens in the tank, so that it will just run off nicely. In selecting grade of honey for shows, fill tins or bottles for such purpose at the time of running off from tank. Honey now comes under the Pure Foods and Drugs Act, and must have a label on each package denoting weight of contents and name of packer. Use a small, neat, attractive label.

The average price for first-grade honey has improved during the last few years, and for good samples this year a'good price can be expected, more 'especially if put up in proper form bv the individual producer.

The selling to the trader in bulk and allowing him to retail it in any form and condition is one that should not be encouraged. The public does not in many cases get quality and value for his money.

I have never sold honey in bulk, and if the public wants to know what they eat, and the value they get, see they obtain it under the packer's or producer's own name.

''Eat thou honey, because it is good!" Honey is not a medicine, but a food, direct from nature, the nectar of flowers gathered, modified, and evaporated by the bees No purer or better food has been given to man. Every flower produces a different flavor, 'if you don't like one honey, try another. Honey is cheaper than butter, and children should be given honey as part of a meal.