136 



Q- LEANING S IN BEE CULTURE 



March, 1922 



HONEY MARKETS 



U. S. GOVERNMENT MARKET REPORTS. 



Information from Producing Areas. (First half of 



February.) 



CALIFORNIA POINTS — Prospects for next 

 season's croiJ considered favorable, both as to vol- 

 ume and quality, if spring rains are normal. 

 The prolonged cold spell earlier in the season 

 caused a setback to bees in some sections with 

 many colonies considerably depleted in numbers. 

 Prices show little change over those prevailing 

 two weeks ago. Since the heavy rains many bee- 

 keepers have disposed of their reserve supply of 

 honey, and those still holding are increasingly in- 

 clined to sell. "Honey Week," authorized by 

 proclamation of the Governor of California for 

 Feb. 6-11 inclusive, may slightly have helped re- 

 tailers to dispose of their surjjlus stock, but ap- 

 parently has not as yet stimulated buying from 

 the brokers. Quotations continue largely nominal. 

 Recent carlot sales of light amber alfalfa are re- 

 ported at 6 V2 c per lb.;, one of light amber sage 

 at TV2C, and one of white orange blossom and 

 sage at 11 ¥2 c per lb. 



INTERMOUNTAIN REGION. — Bees generally 

 wintering fairly well, but in need of early flight 

 if spring dwindling is not to be serious. The cold 

 weather and long confinement will mean a some- 

 what larger loss than normal. Spring feeding 

 will be necessary with many colonies, due to open 

 weather in fall which depleted stores. Crop out- 

 look good for coming season. Supplies in carlot 

 quantities clearing up. and local demand can be 

 counted on to absorb small-lot surplus. Rather 

 active inquiry received from both eastern and 

 western buyers. The uniform carlot price for .5- 

 gal. cans of white sweet clover and alfalfa is 8^/^c 

 per lb., with occasional sales at 9c, and with less- 

 than-carlots ranging 10-12c. Several carlot sales 

 of Arizona light amber honey reported at $7.00 

 per case of 120 lbs. Comb honey of No. 1 grade 

 white sweet clover and alfalfa generally selling 

 $4.00-4.15 per 24-section case, with occasional 

 sales high as $5.00. For beeswax 20c per lb. in 

 cash or 22c in trade is being offered. 



PACIFIC NORTHWEST. — The continued cold 

 period, with little suitable flight weather, has 

 caused a considerable loss of bees. The prospects 

 for the 1922 crop are reported normal. Supplies 

 of extracted honey are generally light, altho occa- 

 sional beekeepers report much honey still in their " 

 hands. Light-colored extracted honey in small 

 lots of 5-gal. cans is being sold at 10-12 i/^c per lb. 

 TEXAS POINTS. — The bees are generally win- 

 tering with little loss, altho some beekeepers re- 

 port dwindling as result of constant flying. Stores 

 have been rapidly consumed. Brood-rearing com- 

 mencing in south Texas. Prospects for the new 

 honey crop continue doubtful due principally to 

 lack of rain during fall and winter. Extracted 

 honey in 5-gal. cans selling mostly at 8V^-10c 

 per lb., with chunk honey 4c per lb. higher. Bee- 

 keepers are receiving 22-24c per lb. for beeswax. 

 EAST AND NORTH CENTRAL STATES — 

 Wintering prospects greatly improved by several 

 days of weather suitable for bee flights. Clover 

 fields in northern part of area generally well pro- 

 tected by snow, but outlook for honey flow less 

 favorable in southern section where many fields 

 are bare of snow. Demand has increased some- 

 what, and the movement of honey is bett^-r than 

 that of last month. Bottlers 'are offering 91/2- 

 10%c per lb. for.carlots of. white clover in 60-lb. 

 cans. Many small lot sales of this size container 

 made at 11% -15c per lb. Carlots of amber honey 

 are quoted at 6-8c per lb., with smaller lots at 

 9-lOc. White comb honey ranges $4.80-5.50 per 

 case. Sales direct to consumer show great in- 

 crease over those of last year. Some beekeepers 

 are bringing in western honey to fill their orders. 

 PLAINS AREA. — The mild winter has been 

 favorable to bees, but lack of snow has injured 

 prospects for good nectar flow next season. Salps 

 of extracted white clover reported at 12c per lb. 

 in 60-lh. cans. 



NORTHEASTERN STATES.— Supplies in bee- 

 keepers' hands are practically exhausted as re- 

 sult of unusually good demand. The bees are 

 wintering we'.l in both cellars and outside stands. 



The outlook for the new crop is generally good, 

 as clover fields are well covered with snow. Bees 

 have enjoyed occasional flight days. Sales of 

 buckwheat in barrels at 7c per lb., and at 9-lOc 

 per lb. in 601b. cans reported. Few sales made 

 of extracted white clover in 60-lb. cans. Large 

 lots of 24-section cases of white clovor comb hon- 

 ey have sold around $5.00 per case, with small 

 lot sales direct to retailers and consumers at 

 $5.75-6.50 per case. 



CUBA. — Cuban honey continues to be quoted at 

 4c per lb. f. 0. b. Recent heavy shipments to 

 Holland reported at 54c per gal., including cost 

 and freight. 

 Telegr. Reports from Important Markets, Feb. 14. 



BOSTON. — No carlot arrivals reported since 

 last report. Conditions practically unchanged 

 with light demand and steady prices. 



CHICAGO. — Since last report 1 car Nevada, 1 

 car Wyoming, 1 car Arizona, 2 000 lbs. Wiscon- 

 sin, 3,000 lbs. Minnesota, and 3,500 lbs. Ohio 

 arrived. Demand and movement slow to fair, 

 market about steady. Extracted: Sales to bottlers, 

 bakers and candy manufacturers, Arizona and 

 Wyoming, per lb., alfalfa white 10-11 %c, light 

 amber 9V&-10C. Michigan, Minnesota and Wis- 

 consin, white clover 11^-12V2C. California, white 

 mixed mountain flowers 11-11 Vic. Comb: Sales 

 to retailers, Ohio, Michigan and Minnesotas, 24- 

 section cases No. 1 $5.00-5.50. Beeswa.x : Re- 

 ceipt)', moderate. Demand and movement moder- 

 ate, market about steady. Sales to wholesale 

 druggists, ship supply houses and laundry supply 

 houses, California, Colorado and Arizona, best 

 crude 30-32c, poorer 27-29c. Central American, 

 best crude 24-26c. 



NEW YORK. — Both domestic and foreign re- 

 ceipts limited. Demand moderate, market steady. 

 Extracted: Spot sales to jobbers, wholesalers, con- 

 fectioners, bakers and bottlers, domestic, per lb., 

 California, light amber alfalfa 7-8c, light amber 

 sage 9-91/^e, few 10c, white sage ll-12c mostly 

 11 %c, white orange blossom 12-14c, mostly 13- 

 14c. Intermountaiu Region, white sweet clover 

 10-1 Ic, few high as 12c. New York, white clover 

 ll-12c, buckwheat 7-8c. West Indian, South Amer- 

 ican, refined 65-70c, few high as 75c per gal., 

 poorer low as 60c. Comb: New York, 24-section 

 cases white clover No. 1. $6.00-7.00 per case. 

 Beeswax: Foreign receipts limited. Supplies lim- 

 ited. Demand moderate, market steady. Spot 

 sales to wholesalers, manufacturers and drug 

 trade, South American and West Indian crude 

 light, best 22-25C, dark 15-18c. African, dark 16- 

 17c, poorer low as 14c. 



H. C. TAYLOR, ]'.) 



Chief of Bureau of Markets, i j 



From Producers' Associations. 



There has been no local market for honey dur- 

 ing the past month. Northern buyers have been 

 buying granulated honey for their market. Mes- 

 quite and cotton honeys preferred. Demand in- 

 creasing. Producers closing out their stocks at 

 8 to 10 cents. Bees are not in the best shape. 

 Cold and dry weather are unfavorable to both, 

 bees and honey plants. Much feeding is being 

 done. Beekeepers, however, are optimistic and 

 are buying supplies freely. 



Texas Honey Producer?' Association. 



San Antonio, Tex. - E, -G. LeStourgeon. 



White extracted honey has recently moved from 

 inter-mountain points in carlots at 8V2C i. o, b. 

 loading point. As far as we can find out there 

 is but little fancy white in carlots left now. Some 

 very good white comb honey is still available i^ 

 carlots; but no interest was shown by jobbers for 

 this commodity during the past month, altho a 

 number of the important markets are practically 

 bare of comb honey. ■ 



The Colorado Honey Producers' Association. 



Denver, Colo. F. RauchfUss, Sec'y. 



Our members have consistently held their price 

 on extracted honey at 81/20 per 11).. f. o. b. Ida- 

 ho in carlots. We have been refusing 7 1/^ c, 7%c 

 and 8c for weeks, and are now selling carlots at 

 our price of 8%c. Inquiry slackened noticeably 

 just prior, to the holidays but is now somewhat 

 above normal, communications having been re- 



