August, 1917 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULT U K E 



625 



alone they will break up by swarming; and 

 more than once we have had colonies just 

 ready for the clover flow, when it opened, 

 store more honey than some of these so verv 

 strong earlier in season. 



* « » 



In the June issue of Gleanings the edi- 

 tor speaks of the backward spring weather, 

 and comments on the fact that, for all that. 

 the bees have bred up very fast. Same here 

 with some qualifications. Such a condition 

 was noticed till along about fniit bloom, 

 when for some reason or other Ave had a 

 rapid loss of field bees. The result is that, 

 alt ho the season is so vei-y late, yet many of 

 our colonies strong earlier in the season are 

 not in prime shape for the clover flow — not 

 that they are actually weak, as hives are 

 full of brood in all stages, and have many 

 bees as well. But a great proportion of 

 these bees are babies, and are not ready for 

 field work. Feeding for three weeks preced- 

 ing clover would no doubt have helped a lot 

 to avoid the present condition ; but with a lot 

 of bees and steady cool weather, not to men- 

 tion the outlay for sugar, Ave did not feel 

 like taking any chances, and simply made 

 sure tl at all colonies had stores enough to 

 carry them thru. 



* * * 



WHAT SHALL I ASK FOR MY CROP? 



As to honey prices, the editors of this 



jdurnal invite us to say what we have been 

 offered, and what we think we should be 

 offered; also any other thing in connection 

 with this problem that might be suggestive 

 for the general good of the fraternity. Per- 

 sonally I have already given my ideas in a 

 vague way as to the situation; but, frankly, 

 I am not sure as to what we should ask 

 provided we get a crop. Everything else 

 is high — no doubt of that; but as to whether 

 we are justified in trying to sell honey at 

 a price proportionate to prices asked for 

 some other food products — that is another 

 question. There is a possibility — nay, a 

 probability — that some honey will be sold 

 too low, as firms have already offered (and 

 no doubt have bought) some honey at a 

 price we would nearly all say is too low by 

 all odds. On the other hand, there is a ten- 

 dency on the part of some — at least we see 

 it that way — to try to boost the price too 

 high, thus' killing "the demand. After all, 

 our old-time friends, supply and demand, 

 will be the greatest factor in determining 

 prices. One large producer writes me that 

 he has sold his crop (yet to be produced) 

 whether large or small, at 13 cts. f. o. b. 

 shipping-point. He did not say what pack- 

 age it Avas to be put up in. Another large 

 producer has been offered 12 cts. in gToss- 

 weight, pails — fives and tens, and has refus- 

 ed the offer. That is about all we knoAV to 

 date as to sales for this year's crop. 



THE bee situ- 

 ation OA'er 

 the state at 

 this time is very 

 interesting, even if it is not promising. 

 Geuierally speaking, conditions over the 

 greater portion of the honey-producing area 

 are as bad as have ever been knoAvn Ito exist. 

 Reports indicate that conditions vary with- 

 in the usual Avell-defined sections. In the 

 extreme southwest locality conditions are 

 fair. There is plenty of floAV for the bees 

 to rear brocd, but not enough for a sur- 

 plus. If a rain occurs, khere may be a good 

 fall flow. Conditions are Avorse in the 

 northern localities of this section, until at 

 the upper edge the bees are only 45 per cent 

 normal. The bees are Avithout stores, and 

 in some cases starving. Here there are no 

 prospects for a honey-floAv of any kind. 

 Thruout the Soult Invest the condition of the 

 bees is about 40 per cent normal Avith but 

 little prospect of a honey-floAV. In the 

 western section the bees are almost normal, 

 with jirospects for a fair yield of honey in 



IN TEXAS 



F. B. Paddock, State Entomologist 



the alfalfa re- 

 gion. In 'the 

 south- central 

 section the bees 

 normal with no 



are about 50 per cent 

 25resent honey - flow, and with prospects 

 for only a short cotton floAv later. Con- 

 ditions are about normal in the north- 

 cenjtral section Avith prospects of a late 

 cotton floAV. In the eastern section the b?es 

 are practically normal, and Avith reasonable 

 rain a good surplus will be gathered. In 

 the northeastern section the condition of 

 the bees is normal and the prospects of a 

 honey surplus from horsemint and co(tfon 

 are good. 



It is only natural to suppose that from 

 such conditions the honey market is very 

 erratic. Except for one locality no hon^y 

 has been offered for sale thi-uout the entire 

 south section. In this excei3(tion extracted 

 honey brought 15 cents a pound on the local 

 market, for a small offering. Thruout the 

 Southwest but A-ery little honey has been 

 offered and some has sold for 10^2 to 12'' j 



