1918 



AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL 



211 



Crop Report and Market Conditions 



In our report for this month we have taken advantage 

 also of the May report of the Department of Agriculture 

 which had to do with the losses, causes, condition of bees 

 and condition of honey plants. 



Of our reporters we asked the following questions: 



1. Condition of bees? 



2. Number of productive colonies as compared to 1917? 



3. Condition of honey plants? 



4. Outlook for crop compared to 1917. 



5. Prices offered for honey? 



6. Honey sold and at what price? 



Condition of Bees 



The Department Report gives the loss of bees as about 

 19%, which is higher than usual. Our reporters in almost 

 all instances agree that the bees are hardly up to normal 

 for this season of the year, though they are coming along 

 rapidly. In the East they are behind the average, as is 

 also the case in the central and north central States. 

 Minnesota and parts of Michigan and Wisconsin are 

 above the normal, as is most of Kansas. 



The whole South is still under extra good conditions, 

 though some reports are that the crop, so far, is not up 

 to 1917. Texas, which has had two very unfavorable sea- 

 sons, now reports the bees building up fast and that at 

 last there are some prospects that there may be some- 

 thing to offset the small crops of the last two years. 



In the whole of the West condition of bees is fair to 

 good. 



The summary of the Department is tha. condition of 

 bees is about 86% of average and a little less than a year 

 ago. 



Number of Colonies 



In spite of the large increase last year and of the large 

 increase being made this spring, it is doubtful if there 

 will be as many bees for the crop as in 191.', though the 

 non-productive colonies changed into productive ones 

 may bring the average up somewhat. 



In all the territory east of the Mississippi and north 

 of the Ohio there was but one report that claimed more 

 bees than a year ago, most reports showing from 60 to 85 

 per cent as many. 



The South shows, roughly, about 25% more bees than a 

 year ago, and in the Rocky Mountain regit there are a 

 few more than in 1917 with about normal for California. 



Again, the Department report shows 89% as many 

 bees as May 1, a year ago, but the large amount of pack- 

 age increase, etc., since may make up a part of this loss. 



Honey Plant Conditions 



In the New England States plant conditions are fine, 

 with a regret from some that there will noi be the bees 

 to gather the honey there should be. 



Ohio and Indiana are verage, as are a'so Michigan 

 and Minnesota, with parts of Wisconsin, Illinois and most 

 of Iowa and Michigan showing poor orospects, on ac- 

 count of the lack of white clover. 



In the whole South -lsnt conditions are fine and 

 Texas generally is rejoicing over the prospects as com- 

 pared with a year ago. The mesquite flow promises to 

 be good. West Texas, however, reports poor prospects 

 as compared to a year ago, and New Mexico may hardly 

 bj up to normal. 



It is too early yet to judge of conditions in the Rocky 



Mountain region, although expectations are t rtt plants 

 will be normal except in Idaho, where it is hardly ex- 

 pected that the extremely favorable season of 1917 will 

 be equalled. 



California will do well if the plants range up to 1917. 

 though in some parts they are much better. 



Crop Prospects 



Practically all regions except parts of Illinois, Wiscon- 

 sin, most of Missouri and Iowa, West Texas and other 

 scattered sections, claim that there will be a better aver- 

 age than a year ago, if the weather is favorable from 

 now on. Many claims that the crop might be short if the 

 drought were continued have been dispelled by bountiful 

 rains since their reports were sent in. 



The Department report shows plant conditions as be- 

 ing 87% as against 82% on the same date last vear. but- 

 still far from the average of 92% over a series of five 

 years. Conditions should improve, however, before the 

 next Department report comes out. 



Honey Offers 



A year ago the beekeepers were being flooded with 

 offers for their crop in advance. This year the offers are 

 comparatively scarce, except for honey actually in hand. 

 This is likely due to two causes. In the first place, bee- 

 keepers are not so keen to contract, but are waiting to 

 get what price they can when the crop becomes available. 



Secondly, the exportations of honey depend largelv 

 upon the availability of shipping space. We know of one 

 offer being made by a foreign company for three or four 

 cars of white extracted at around 20 cents f. o. b. 

 steamer. This places the responsibility upon the shipper 

 of finding space for his product before it can be sold. 



Even though very little exportation should be made, 

 the price of honey should still rule high, owing to the ex- 

 cessive demand for sweets at home. 



Some offers made are as follows : 



New York, 17c for white extracted. 



Illinois, 15c for white extracted. 



Alabama, 17c for extracted, immediate delivery. 



Colorado offers from 12 to 15 cents on extracted. 



Idaho, one offer of $3 per case for comb. 



California offers on extracted ranging as follows: 

 12^, 13, 14. 15, 16J4, 13, 15 cents. 



Another series of offers are being made at a stipulated 

 market pn'ce at the time the honey is available for ship- 

 ment, such price to 'ie governed by prevailing price on 

 same size lots. 



Honey Sales 



Four cars of Texas honey have been sold at 17 to 17v> 

 cents One sale has been made ahead in California at 12 

 cents for all extracted, and many more rumors of re- 

 ported sales at a like price were sent in. Generally, the 

 beekeepers are less inclined to sell than a year ago. and 

 rightly so. 



Nearly all beekeepers think that their honey should 

 be worth at least 17 certs f. o. b. their station for white, 

 and at least $4.50 per case for comb. 



On the basis of past performances and with the expec- 

 tation that shipping space will be easier to obtain as 

 time goes on, is there any reason to doubt that producers 

 will be able to obtain the prices as suggested above? 



An Illinois Field Meet.— On Satur- 

 day, June 29, there will be held in the 

 large grove of O. S. Biggs, at San 

 Jose, 111., a beekeepers' picnic and 

 field meet. It will be held under the 

 auspices of the Illinois River Valley 

 Beekeepers' Association, who have 

 extended an invitation to everyone 



possible to be present. Dr. Phillips 

 has consented to c.ttend. 



Colorado Meet.— The Colorado 

 Honey Producers' Association will 

 hold a field meet and basket picnic at 

 Longmont, Colo., Saturday, June 15, 

 at 10 a. m. All interested in bee cul- 

 ture are invited to attend. 



The New Jersey Beekeepers' Asso- 

 ciation will hold a Field Day in the 

 apiary of G. Fred Jordy, one mile 

 north of Flemington, on Wednesday, 

 June 12, 1918. The program will con- 

 sist of demonstrations by experts, 

 such as grafting queen-cells, quick 

 method of transferring, etc. Come; 

 bring your lunch. 



E. G. CARR, Sec.-Treas. 



