QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 385 
€ year for starting an observatory hive, beekeepers could get one made in the 
‘/ Miter, ready for the warm weather, as observing the ways of the bees under 
‘/%© glass is very interesting and instructive, and the hive always attracts 
| “tention at shows and exhibitions. : 
AUSTRALIAN HONEY. 
By E. RAYMOND, Ipswich. 
| MrcutrerE, under existing circumstances, holds out little promise to those who 
} “ould make honey-producing a means of livelihood. Many of those who have 
jit a good start in the business, and have increased their stock to 60 or 100 
| "Ves, would willingly sell all and invest their capital in something more 
| Mofitable. And who can wonder that the apicuiturist should grow despondent 
th honey selling at the ridiculously low figure of from 1d. to 1$d., and on 
| "te oecasions 2d. per lb.? Were the seasons invariable and good, a living 
q “tight be made at honey-producing even at this price. But we have to make 
|Mowanee for an exeeptionally severe winter, when the apiarist loses a large 
} Pteentage of his stock which has to be reproduced during the following season; 
| we have also to make allowance for the dry season, when the surplus 
| Moduction of honey is very small. The apiarist, like the squatter, is subject to 
| {1 the vicissitudes of and to all the inconveniences arising from bad seasons ; 
| (tt the former have only one honey crop during the year, and, if that is a 
ure, that whole year is lost to them. Taking all these circumstances 
| consideration, we beekeepers must confess that the prices obtained 
|e insufficiently remunerative by far. Beekeepers all over Queensland 
| “se a cry of dissatisfaction. ‘But what is responsible for these low 
| Miees? Ts it the retailer's fault, or is it because of the inferior quality 
Ak the article as a food?” Not the former, because the shopkeepers are but 
1; © mediums through which the honey passes almost unaffected in price 
| ° the consumers; and certainly not the latter, for, when compared with our 
ile and squashy tinned jams, the quality is far superior to either. Well, 
} %n, perhaps the fault lies with the public or even with the producers them- 
f ‘elves, Here, I think, we come to the truth, and we may share honours, giving 
| 2e lion’s portion to the latter. The treacle-eater will pay his 7d. or 8d. for a 
| <\5.tin of molasses, while he turns up his nose at a bottle of good honey, con- 
| “Ming the same quantity, at a lower price. Yet who with any common sense 
| Mould think of comparing the refuse cane juice with the pure nectar garnered 
i the the hearts of a million tiny flowers? It is not, however, only the fawlt of 
|p people that they do not appreciate honey at its worth, but also their misfortune. 
| ,Ut the beekeepers themselves—they grudgingly part with their amber-coloured 
iy for 12d. per lb., and then sit down, fold their hands in disgust, and trust 
| ° & merciful Providence to one day raise the price, contenting themselves in 
hae ntime by saying, ‘“‘ Better half-a-loaf than none at all.” But I would sooner 
pee the whole loaf any day. Each waits patiently for the other to do some- 
| Dg for their common good, and everything remains in as bad a state as ever. 
| (8 policy, however, will not “ buy the child a frock.” It behoves all interested 
| 6 € up and doing for their own common good. Honey is, I believe, bringing 
} “and 74. per Ib. in London. Cannot our apiarists convene a meeting, form an 
Sociation, and in some way bring themselves into touch with the home market ? 
| S they will by making an effort take the initiatory step, then work in unison, 
_. © have everything to assure us of the future prosperity of an industry which 
ie I America, and which should be in Queensland and Australia, an important 
E profitable one. Nature has provided us with a climate in every way adapted 
Th the raising of early queens and early strong swarms, and has planted the 
) Md thick with honey-yielding trees for the bees to work ou. It only remains 
| ‘9 dpiarists to put the coping-stone to Nature’s handiwork by combining their 
| ‘*ngth and putting the industry on a solid basis. 
31 
