H.—29.

Owing to the fact that a large, number of beekeepers continue to market their honey privately, complete figures showing the production of honey in New Zealand are not available. Prices of Honey. —There has been a ready sale of honey in containers of all sizes. Prices for bulk honey packed in 60 lb. tins ranged from 6d. to Bd. per pound, according to location and grade. Prices for other sized containers were : 5 lb. tins, ss. 3d. ; 1 lb. cartons, lid. to Is. 2d ; and sections of comb honey, lid. to Is. 6d. per section. The price of beeswax was Is. 6d. per pound. Instruction Work. —The demands made upon the Division for information and advice both in regard to apiary management and honey-packing have been considerable. Instruction in all matters pertaining to the industry has been freely given to all persons who have shown a desire to adopt modern apiary practices. Well-attended meetings of the National Beekeepers' Association have been addressed by Apiary Instructors during the year, and some 107 practical demonstrations and lectures given. All owners of honey rejected at grade stores have received special instruction from this Division's officers as to how to overcome preventable defects and errors in extracting and packing operations. Inspection of Apiaries. —Further essential service has been given to the industry by the systematic inspection of apiaries and control over the movements of bees and apiary appliances from one place to another to safeguard against the possible spread of brood diseases. In order to assist Apiary Instructors with their work in this direction, a number of established beekeepers were employed during the spring and summer months as part-time Inspectors. These men rendered excellent service, and inspected 2,558 apiaries containing 29,061 colonies of bees. The assistance thus given has enabled a close inspection to be made in commercial areas in the large districts allotted to Instructors. Permanent officers dealt with 680 permits for the removal of bees and apiary appliances where the apiaries were clean and free from disease ; they also inspected 1,841 apiaries containing 28,409 colonies. This work has maintained a high standard of cleanliness in apiaries generally throughout the Dominion. Investigations and Experiments. —Investigations have been undertaken to assist beekeepers to overcome noticeable defects in certain honeys submitted for grading. Particular attention is being given to the hygroscopic nature of these honeys. Samples collected from three separate districts have been submitted to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for testing. Departmental officers initiated experimental shipments of combless package bees from early northern districts to Otago and Southland to determine, if possible, the economic value of this procedure as against the maintenance of colonies over a long unproductive winter period, and also the value of building up backward colonies in time for the main honey flow. The first shipment was despatched in October, 1940, and reports to hand indicate that the bees arrived in excellent condition and were successfully established. The experiment is being watched with keen interest. General Horticulture. Horticultural Week, which is an annual fixture, was held at Oamaru concurrently with the National Flower Show. Other functions of horticultural interest were the Kitchen Garden Competition organized by the Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and the continuation of the Railwaystation Garden Competition organized by the Gardening Circle of the Otago Women's Club. The Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture held its examinations during November, 1940. Sixteen students sat for the Junior examination, four for the Intermediate, and eight for the Diploma examination. Of the twenty-eight candidates, thirteen were successful. The Loder Cup (donated by Mr. Gerald W. Loder, later Lord Wakehurst), awarded for the most meritorious work in connection with the preservation of New Zealand flora, was this year won by Major P. H. Johnson, of Raincliff, South Canterbury. Major Johnson generously donated to the people of the Dominion 24-0 acres of land containing magnificent native bush. Office and Clerical Work. The increase in inspectional duties and the demand for statistical data has increased the extent to which officers are called upon to perform office and clerical work. While general clerical work continues to be done by the office staff, it was found that clerical work in connection with inspection at assembly depots was required to be carried out on the spot by the Inspectors concerned. Appreciations. Appreciation is expressed for the co-operation of members of the various organizations of fruitgrowers, beekeepers, commercial gardeners and of horticultural societies in the work of the Division, and to growers individually for their willing assistance to field officers in their many inquiries.

Approximate Cost\of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing ((120 copies), £08.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1941.

Price Is.]

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