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 
number 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 difficulty. 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, provided 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. 
