Marketing the Honey Crop 331 



considerable loss and inconvenience. The market for such 

 honey is not well developed but it is worthy of considerable 

 attention since many people after trying this honey prefer 

 it to liquid honey. 



WORDING OF LABELS 



Beekeepers are often at a loss to know just what should 

 be put on labels in order to conform with the various pro- 

 visions of pure food laws. In the case of the net^weight 

 amendment of the Federal Food and Drugs Act, the require- 

 ment is definite, that the net weight or volume shall be indi- 

 cated. Since bottles vary somewhat, it is best to test a 

 nmnber to find the minimum and then have on the label, 

 "Net weight not less than — oz." or "Minimum weight — 

 oz." Aside from this there is no diflBculty. If the label 

 tells the truth about the contents, the beekeeper will not get 

 into trouble. He should not label his honey "Pure clover 

 honey" if it is partly sage honey, nor should he attempt to 

 deceive the customer by labeling it "Clover brand honey" 

 if it is not as nearly all clover honey as it is possible to get. 

 Some beekeepers have worried over the fact that even in 

 the purest honey there is possibly a little nectar from some 

 other source. If this causes worry it may be entirely avoided 

 by stating the exact facts. Furthermore it must be remem- 

 bered that the officials who enforce these laws are sensible 

 men and a slight discrepancy on the label would probably 

 not be considered a violation of the law, pro^dded there is 

 evidently no intent of misrepresentation. The various pure 

 food laws are designed to protect the purchaser against 

 fraud and the honest producer against dishonest competi- 

 tion. It may perhaps be considered as ingratitude, there- 

 fore, if a beekeeper complains at the necessity of telling the 

 exact truth on his label. Beekeepers are almost unani- 

 mously opposed to the adulteration of honey and should 

 do everything possible to aid in the enforcement of these 

 laws. 



