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AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL 



November 



Crop Report and Market Condition 



Compiled by M. G. Dadant 



For our November reporl we will consider the follow- 

 ing divisions as of most importance to the beekeeper: 

 1. The Honey Crop. 

 _' i ondition of Eees, Feeding, Increasi 

 .}. Honey Flora and Rainfall. 

 4. Honey Prices and Demand. 



THE HONEY CROP 



Although first reports did not seem to indicate it. il 

 is very likely that the crop this year will be in excess 

 of that of 1917. although some sections show a much de- 

 creased yield. 



In the Xew England States, in Xew York and, in fact, 

 all along the Atlantic border, the crop has been in excess 

 of that of last year, with a heavy flow and a good crop 

 reported, especially from many parts of Xew York State. 



The South has not had as large a crop as in 1917, 

 though still far from a failure. Georgia seems to have 

 fared the best of any of the Southern States. Eastern 

 Florida was also good, but there was a near failure in 

 Western Florida, and in Louisiana. 



Alabama had a fair crop from sweet clover, while in 

 the sweet clover sections of Mississippi the crop was ex- 

 cellent. Bitterweed in the fall put colonies in most parts 

 of Alabama in good shape for winter. 



Tennessee and Kentucky crops have been fair to aver- 

 age, with good yield in the aster sections. 



Ohio had a fair early crop, with nothing in the fall, 

 while Indiana and Illinois have had very little surplus 

 this season, the fall crop being fair in most parts so as 

 to put colonies in good shape without feeding. In purely 

 white clover locations heavy feeding is being done to get 

 bees in shape for winter. 



The Michigan crop is fair but not up to last year, 

 while one well-known reporter states that the season has 

 been a failure in Wisconsin with heavy feeding necessary. 

 This reporter has just finished feeding 5,000 pounds of 

 sugar to his bees. 



In Minnesota, Eastern Iowa and Missouri the crop is 

 a near failure, with much feeding being done. The sweet 

 clover belt of Western Iowa, Kansas and Xebraska has 

 a crop much in excess of a year ago. 



Many Texas reporters claim practically a total failure 

 again this year, but a majority of reports indicate that 

 there has been much more honey produced there than in 

 1917. and bees are going into winter in much better shape, 

 though no little feeding has to be done. 



In the Rocky Mountain States the crop is about aver- 

 age, which means that they have had a fair crop. Wash- 

 ington reports a much smaller crop than in 1917, and it is 

 likely that the same will apply to New Mexico, ami most 

 of California. 



CONDITIONS OF BEES 



Generally, roing into winter in very fair 



shape, even though considerable feeding is being done 

 The big price of honey and tin- consequent desire of all 

 to produce as much as possible in 1919 has made more 

 ing than usual, undoubtedly to the betterment of the 

 crop next year. 



Much increase has been made this year, in fact it is 

 not improbable that most of the losses have been made 



up in the country for the bad season a yeai ago, and in 

 many instances where the crop has been good as high 

 as 200 per cent increase has been made. 



One lack here seems to be that colonies are not going 

 into winter with as large a supply of bees as might be 

 hoped for, probably, however, owing to the drought of 

 summer, which was not followed till late by the fall flow, 

 with the result that colonies still have much brood and 

 are still breeding up. • 



FLORA AND RAINFALL 



It is too early to make any guess as to the condition 

 of plants as affecting the 1919 flow. The prolonged 

 drought of summer in the wdiite clover regions has, to a 

 large extent, however, cut the flora for next year. Late 

 rains are having the effect of bringing some of the plants 

 back to life, but we believe from present indications that 

 the clover crop will not be large generally next season, 

 though some locations favored by early rains may be 

 extremely good. 



In our own yards we count on little surplus next 

 spring and are making plans for a cleanup year, and some 

 increase, getting ready for a possibly good crop in 1920. 



HONEY DEMAND AND PRICES 



The demand for honey is still at its best. 



In the export trade, some sales have been cut off by 

 the fact that all sales for England are being made 

 through the British government, with the result that 

 some connections and guaranteed prices have been can- 

 celed. 



We have heard of one instance of the withdrawal of 

 a guaranteed price of 25 cents by a British firm owing to 

 the ruling. 



It is questionable whether this, combined with the dif- 

 ficulty in getting space in steamships for other allied 

 countries is having a serious drawback on our exports of 

 honey, since the allied governments are still demanding 

 honey. 



There is no doubt but that the demand for honey had 

 increased on the part of the manufacturer of food prod- 

 ucts in which sweets are used, such .is cakes, candies, 

 etc. The ruling cutting down the amount such firms can 

 have of sugar to 50 per cent of former requirements, 

 forces the use of honey and other sweets. cven s at much 

 higher prices. 



Demand for direct consumption is also on the increase, 

 and for the same reason as above, both because of inabil- 

 ity to get as much sugar as before war restrictions were 

 enforced, and for patriotic reasons. 



There is no doubt but that most of the 1918 crop of 

 honey can be disposed of by Christmas if the producer is 

 willing to take a price within bounds. There are already 

 producers who are holding For 30 i ents per pound in large 

 quantities. 



Honey is generally leaving the hands of producers at 

 prices ranging from 22 to 26 cents in car lots, while comb 

 honey is commanding in the neighborhood of $6 to $7 per 

 case. 



One large producer is selling out in smaller quantities 

 it abi >u1 thi folli wing prices : 



10-pound cans. $3.25. 



5-pound cans. $1.75. 



i ine 60-pi iund can, $18. 



Larger quantities, 27 cents to 2S cent, pet pound. 



These prices are certainly remunerative enough, and 

 we doubt if the bulk of producers will ask for more; even 

 though they may be able to get it. 



Of course, when it comes to replacement of stock by 

 buying elsewhere, the producer will have to vary his 

 price according to what he will have to pay. 



