42 



dense a nature that the honey-extractor is of no use whatever. Such 

 country, at present, is not suitable for bee-farming, as only comb-honey 

 can be raised there, and the demand for this is limited, while it is too fragile 

 to be sent to distant markets with profit. 



FLORA FROM WHICH THICK HONEY IS GATHERED. 



So far as the Waikato is concerned, I am of the opinion of one of the oldest 

 and most experienced apiarists in the district — Mr. Joseph Karl — that it is 

 gathered ctiefiy from tea-tree blossoms. There are two varieties of this plant 

 — one known as " red " tea-tree, from the colour of the wood, and the other 

 " white." They frequently grow together, and the blossoms are much alike 

 in appearance, but a difference can be distinguished on close inspection. 

 I have seen the hive-bee working on the " red " variety, but never on the 

 " white " — the little native bee works on the latter. In warm, dryish 

 seasons — what may be termed good clover seasons — there is little or no 

 trouble with thick honey, but in wet, unfavourable seasons, like that of 

 1906-7 in the Waikato, the difficulty is very serious, owing, no doubt, to the 

 clover yielding very little honey and the bees being forced to the tea-tree or 

 other forage. Waikato beekeepers may console themselves with the fact 

 that the tea-tree scrub is rapidly disappearing from the country, and clover 

 pastures taking its place. 



MAKING THE BEST OF THE DIFFICULTY. 



For the benefit of the many beekeepers who meet with the same draw- 

 back, I will describe the practice followed by the late Mr. G. S. Pearson, of 

 Hamilton, Waikato, formerly president of the Waikato Beekeepers' Associa- 

 tion, which is that generally followed in the district. 



The storing of thick honey commences early in the season, but ceases 

 as soon as the weather is favourable for gathering clover honey. Should 

 this latter condition not come about, the first continues and gives 

 trouble. Should there be a comparatively small quantit\' of thick honev 

 stored, but more than is needed for immediate use as food, the combs when 

 sealed are removed and stored away for the bees' future use, ever^' particle 

 of extractable hone,)- is taken from the hives to the end of the season, and 

 the thick honey returned for winter stores. Should, however, there be 

 more of the latter than can be utilised in this way, as there frequently is, 

 it is put through the honey-press. 



HONEY-PRESS. 



Mr. Pearson's press (see Plate XV) is similar to those in general use in the 

 Waikato. It is, as can be seen, an ordinary single cheese-press of the latest 

 design, with screw and compound lever, fitted up for the purpose re(|uired. 



