242 AUSTRALASIAN 



The look of the tins depends much on the label, and this 

 ought to be neatly lithographed in colours, bearing some kind 

 of design, with a trade mark and the name of the apiary and 

 proprietor. Our Matamata labels also contain the following : — 

 "Notice. — This honey is separated from the combs by the 

 ' Honey Extractor,' thereby retaining its original aromatic 

 flavour," on one end, and on the other : — " Directions. — Should 

 this honey granulate, which may be taken as one of the surest 

 tests of its purity, it may be liquidated again by immersing the 

 tin in hot water." Our labels are made to go round and cover 

 the whole circumference of the two-pound tins, and the same 

 labels answer very well for the larger ones. The tops and 

 bottoms of the two-pound, and the whole of the large tins, are 

 japanned before the labels are put on. Black japan can be 

 bought at most colourmen's, and it only requires thinning 

 down with an equal or greater quantity of turpentine to bring 

 it to the required shade ; a broad camel-hair brush is the best 

 to put it on with. Our packing cases are made to hold thirty 

 21b. tins, six lOlbs., or four 201bs. — each case being stencilled 

 with the name of the apiary and the nature of its contents. 



The 601b. tins are a very convenient size for making up 

 honey to be sold in bulk or for export. Two of these tins in 

 one packing-case are heavy enough, though not too heavy for 

 handling by one man, and will pack together conveniently for 

 any mode of transport. 



Honey while in a clear liquid state looks very well in glass. 

 I should not be disposed to put much up in that way when it 

 is liable to granulate quickly, nor in any case in bottles holding 

 more than about two pounds. In this form, if the bottles are 

 well made, of clear white glass, and neatly stoppered and 

 labelled, they generally find favour for retail sale, although 

 necessarily something dearer than if made up in tins. 



COMB-HONEY. 



This, as I have already observed, is more readily sold in 

 one-pound sections than in any other form. It is not advisable 

 to raise more comb-honey in any district than can be sold in 

 it, or at some market near to it. The demand for it is more 

 limited than that for extracted honey, and it runs great risk 

 of getting damaged when sent to distant markets. To preserre 



