618 



GLEANINGS IN BEE Cl'l.TL'lJE 



does not make a particle of difference wliat 

 the markings are on the outside of the ship- 

 ping-case. Every section in that case must 

 show either the minimum net weight or the 

 exact net weight, and this must be plainly 

 marked on every section unless such sections 

 are to be put in cartons. In that case the 

 carton itself must show the exact weight of 

 the contents of honey and wax, or tlie min- 

 imum net weight. 



Another question that has been asked 

 repeatedly is whether the tare and exact net 

 weight shall show on the shipping-eases. 

 We do not understand that the law applies 

 to shipping-cases. It has direct reference 

 only to packages that go to the consumer 

 As a matter of fact, both dealer and buyc. 

 will require the tare and the net weight of 

 the shipping-cases, as heretofore, that is 

 providing the' sections are not sold by count; 

 but now the net weight must not include the 

 weight of the sections. When sold in that 

 way every section in the case must be 

 marked " Minimum net weight in blank 

 ounces;" but every section, as we have pre- 

 viously explained, may have more than the 

 minimum, but no one of them may have less 



Another question is whether the word 

 *' minimum " can be omitted from the state- 

 ment " Minimum net weight 121/2 ounces," 

 for examjDle. That depends. If the pro- 

 ducer is willing to go to the trouble of 

 marking the exact weight in ounces and 

 fractions thereof of every section, let that 

 weight be what it may, he can omit the word 

 " minimum." But if the sections are to be 

 sold by count, then the word " minimum " 

 must always be used. 



Another cpestion is, whether honey pack- 

 ed and marked in the old way, including the 

 weight of the wood, prior to Sept. 3, 1914, 

 will be misbranded. No, not if the fact can 

 be proven ; but it may not be possible in all 

 cases to do this. In that case the producer 

 should comply with the law^ at once ; and he 

 should also make an effort to have his dealer 

 dispose of all goods, not properly marked, 

 before Sept. 3, 1914. 



Another question that has been asked over 

 and over again is how we are going to de- 

 termine the minimum net weight or the 

 exact net weight of every section we sell 

 without making the expense cut deeply into 

 the cost of the honey. 



A pair of common postofftce scales for 

 weighing letters, weighing ounces and frac- 

 tions thereof, up to the limits of one or two 

 pounds, can be secured at a price of about 

 $1.25 or $1.50 from dealers, or from the 

 large mail-order houses. Scales should be 

 selected liaving a (h\t i)latfoi'm — not a 

 rounding one. 



If the ])roducer is putting up his honey in 

 4-14 by 1% beeway sections, he should grade 

 his honey in three grades. One grade, the 

 heaviest, should weigh as high as or higher 

 than I2V2 ounces; the next grade, more than 

 11 ounces, and the next more than 10 ounces 

 Three rubber stamps showing these corres- 

 ponding minimum net weights should be 

 ])rovided. Every section, until one becomes 

 expert in judging, should be tested by the 

 scales. In placing sections on the scales care 

 should be taken not to set them down ir. 

 such a way that the pointer will dance up 

 and down for a second or two. Lay eajh 

 section on gently, and tlie pointer will show 

 the exact weight instantly. 



As a suggestion we would recommend 

 marking on the dial, in inks of different 

 colors, the point I2I/2 ounces, 11 ounces, 

 and 10 ounces, so that the eye can tell with- 

 out squinting in what class the section be- 

 longs. After one becomes expert in sorting 

 or grading sections, it is surprising hov/ 

 accurate he will become in determining 

 weights witliout the use of the scales. It io 

 also surprising how quickly the scales may 

 be used and thus eliminate entirely tlie 

 matter of guesswork. 



After sections ha\e been classified in three 

 lots they can all be marked with a rubber 

 stamp. For instance^ the 12i'2-ounce stamp 

 with its i^ad can mark the minimum ncit 

 Aveight on every section in a lot by itself. 

 In the same way the 11-ounce stamp can be 

 applied to its grade. 



If one chooses to go to the trouble of 

 marking the exact net weight on every sec- 

 tion, he will have to use a rubber stamp and 

 fill in the blanks with a pencil in plain 

 figures, after he weighs the section and 

 subtracts one ounce. To mark up his crop, 

 the first thing to do is to stamjj every sec- 

 tion with a rubber stamp; then, as he 

 weighs every section, jDut the exact Aveigat 

 in pencil in the space provided. This wouh,'. 

 seem to entail a great amount of labor tha'„ 

 would be prohibitive; and for that reason 

 we are advising every one to use the mini- 

 mum-weight scheme and sell the sections by 

 count. 



We also recommend every one to use car- 

 tons and have the minimum net Aveight 

 jjrinted on the cartons themseh'es. This 

 Avill save fussing Avith rubber stamps. The 

 carton Avill jitrotect the section, and the 

 honey Avhen shipped in cartons will go 

 through to destination in very much better 

 order. There is no question about that. 



Still another question is whether the pro- 

 ducer's name and address must be marked 

 on tlie sections or shippinatfases. We do 

 not so understand it. 



