One of the most successful field days of the Canterbury Beekeepers' Association was held on Saturday, at the apiary of the vicepresident, Mr. C. A. Jacobsen, Little River. The members and their friends left the Square at 8:30, and arrived at Little River about 11 A.M., being welcomed by Mr. Jacobsen.

The president, Mr. E. G. Ward, apologized for the absence of Mr. T. W. Kirk, who found it impossible to be present, and introduced Mr. James Allen, president of the National Association, and Mr. L. Bowman, Apiary Inspector of the Canterbury Province, and expressed pleasure at the attendance.

A general introduction then took place, and lunch was partaken of. The weather was ideal, and the time was profitably spent in demonstrating, and addresses by Mr. Allen, the president, and the host.

Mr. A. Ireland spoke on the advantage of co-operation. He referred to what had been done some two years back to interest beekeepers in the matter, and said that the present time was opportune to push on with the scheme. He thought that honey could and ought to be put up in small quantities by the producers, who should form a company for that purpose and supply the shopkeepers, who really did not care to handle the product themselves. By this means the

beekeepers would reap a substantial benefit. Bee material could be handled by the company also, as dealers are not so well acquainted with the wants of beekeepers as they are themselves. Mr. Jacobsen then gave a valuable demonstration on queenrearing, and showed how this was done. He exhibited queen-cells in various stages of development, and gave many valuable hints to those present.

Mr. L. Bowman gave an address,"Pollen and its Uses in Brood-rearing." He went exhaustively into the matter, and showed what a necessary element the honeybee is in the fertilization of flowers, while at the same time giving the human race such a valuable food in the honey gathered. He also enlarged on the necessity of having good queens, and supplemented the remarks of Mr. Jacobsen. He thought that the black bee had been neglected, and too much made of the Italian.

Mr. Jacobsen took the members round his apiary, and explained fully his methods of working, illustrating his remarks in a practical manner.

Tea was then partaken of, and after the usual farewell speeches and votes of thanks to the host and hostess, the party left for home.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF NEW ZEALAND BEEKEEPERS.

The most important annual conference of New Zealand beekeepers yet held was concluded in Wellington on June 19 after a three-days' sitting. The conference was under the auspices of the National Beekeepers' Association of New Zealand, which was formed last year. About 50 beekeepers were present from all parts of the Dominion, and the proceedings were of an important and interesting nature. Up till the conference

just ended, the industry has been in a more or less disorganized state, but it will now be possible for all existing associations to join with the National on equitable terms, as a constitution has been adopted which should meet the needs of individuals as well as those associations which have not up to the present been attached to the National. The National is designed to embrace all the beekeepers of the Dominion, whereas the smaller associations were only of local importance. One strong organization will have tremendous weight compared with a number of small associations. A sliding scale of fees has been adopted which will insure for the affiliated associations sufficient funds to be of good service locally, and still contribute a substantial sum to the National funds.

The conference was opened by the Hon. R. H. Rhodes, postmaster-general. He apol

The annual report stated that the membership is now 256, and it was anticipated that this would be doubled during the coming year. One of last year's activities was to have been a systematic scheme of advertising honey; but on account of lack of funds it had been found impossible to do any thing in this direction. The balancesheet showed a small debit balance.

Three sessions were held daily. The evening sessions were given up to bee subjects only, and several interesting and instructive papers were read and demonstrations given. Mr. J. S. Cottrell's paper on how to secure an increase of 100 per cent in the crop withcut increasing the number of colonies was especially good. He dwelt on the importance of having young queens, and suggested the establishment of a queen-rearing apiary under government control in the Cook Islands, where conditions are ideal for the purpose. At a later stage a deputation waited on the Hon. R. H. Rhodes, and laid the views of the conference before him. A very sympathetic hearing was given, and there seems to be every hope that the recommendations will be adopted in the near future.

An address by Mr. F. C. Baines on feeders and capping-melters was also particu

larly good. He showed a modification of the Severn capping-melter, which particularly took the fancy of those present. He showed how to finish up the day's work with cappings all melted and the honey separated without injury to the honey. His remarks on hastening the granulation of honey were also interesting.

Mr. T. W. Kirk, Director of Orchards and Apiaries Division of the Department of Agriculture, on the second day gave an address on the Department's intentions in reference to the Apiaries Act. He traced the history of what had been done from the earliest days of the industry up to the present time. He has always taken a very keen interest in the beekeeping industry, and his help in furthering legislation has been invaluable. When the Apiaries Act he outlined is law, New Zealand will have an act which will be ahead of any thing else of the kind in any part of the world.

On the third day Mr. Geo. H. Buckridge gave an address on his personal observations of the American and British honey markets. He found that the British markets especially are not in such a flourishing condition as he would like. This was due partly to labor troubles and want of proper management in bringing New Zealand honey before the public. He thought, however, that there is a great future for New Zealand honey when put up in the right way, and exported through the right channel on wellorganized lines.

Mr. H. W. Gilling, of Taranaki, gave an

address on co-operation. Last year the New Zealand Honey-producers' Co-operative Association was formed in Taranaki, and Mr. Gilling was the prime mover in the movement. He explained the lines the Taranaki beekeepers were working on, and stated that the success attained was very encouraging. The Canterbury Beekeepers' Association and the Waikato Beekeepers' Association, both of which were well represented at the conference, took the opportunity to discuss the situation, and it is probable that both these associations will fall in line, and a strong co-operative association be formed, which will embrace rearly the whole Dominion.

The desirability of starting a monthly bee-journal was brought up by the executive, and a committee was set up to examine figures submitted, and the lines on which it was proposed to run it. The committee reported favorably, and the first number will probably appear in August. It was thought that 500 subscribers to begin with would pay expenses, and about 100 promises were made in the room. The first three issues will contain a full report of the conference proceedings.

A grant of $100 was made toward expenses by the Government through the good offices of Mr. T. W. Kirk, and a hearty vote of thanks to him carried by acclamation.

Reference was made to the forthcoming Panama exposition, and it was stated that both the Canterbury and Waikato Associations would be sending exhibits. It was learned that Mr. J. S. Cottrell, President of the Waikato Association, and Vice-president of the National Association, would be

It was learned with regret that Mr. Isaac Hopkins, who is recognized as the father of beekeeping in New Zealand, would leave. the Dominion for good the coming year. It was resolved to place on record the sincere appreciation of all New Zealand beekeepers of Mr. Hopkins' many years of work in the interests of the industry. He will not be allowed to leave these shores without some small memento of the kindly feeling toward him.

The Government inspectors gave a demonstration of the methods of grading honey for export, and answered a number of questions.

The Conference closed after three days of solid work after electing the following officers for the ensuing year: President, James Allen, Southland; Vice-president, J. S. Cottrell, Waikato; Secretary-treasurer, R. W. Brickell, Dunedin; Auditor, Mr. F.C. Bains, Taranaki; North Island Representatives, H. W. Gilling, Taranaki, J. Hutchinson, Waikato; South Island Representatives, A. Ireland, Canterbury, C. A. Jacobsen, Canterbury.

Christchurch, N. Z.

It is raining now, and this rain may save the fall aster. Clover is burned out of the ground. Sweet clover bloomed, and is still blooming in spots where the sun hadn't so much force; but it is limited in area to a great extent, this not being a sweet-clover year. Next year sweet clover will be in its glory in this locality if weather conditions are favorable. We had a cool wet spring-cool at night, warm at day time.

I've noticed in the past years cold weather in the early spring is not very favorable to sweet clover. Hot moist weather is when sweet clover flows abundantly.

We had some locust bloom, but the cool nights evaporated the nectar. The only

time the bees worked on it on sunny days was from about two o'clock in the afternoon to sundown. This was nectar secreted during the morning hours. Any one walking through a locust woods while in bloom on cool nights will scent the evaporating nectar a mile off.

These conditions seem not to affect the small white clover provided it has an occasional rain. Last year was a pure whiteclover season-fruit-bloom, basswood, locust, and the various other wild bloom affecting only the rearing of strong colonies. Up to the present we have had but two rains the past two months. One amounted to almost nothing, but the second one saved our corn crop. One of our

prominent beekeepers along the Big Miami River wrote recently he would not get one pound of honey out of about 100 colonies, owing to the drouth. Conditions are not quite so bad around Cincinnati-that is, in its vicinity. During a long drouth bees are afforded better forage among the hills and valleys than in the level fields. On the level the sun burns down like fire all day, while in the hills there are always spots that the sun touches only at certain times of the day; hence the moisture collected in

the early spring doesn't evaporate so quickly. If the bees in this country along the Big Miami River, of which there are many, are so destitute of honey, their masters will all be forced to feed for the winter unless aster provides them with nectar.

I haven't seen so much aster in many years as now; yet it is problematical if we receive a good flow during fall bloom, the frosts at times setting in early. Cincinnati, O., July 26.

What was probably the best exhibit of apiarian products and demonstrations ever given before a popular audience in New Jersey was held in connection with the annual show of the Monmouth County Poultry Club at Asbury Park, Nov. 24-29. Cash premiums were offered by the club for the best Italian bees, best case of comb honey, best 25 lbs. of extracted honey, best display of wax, 25 lbs. or more; best dis

play of comb honey, and for the best display of extracted honey, both liquid and granulated. There were also offered $5.00 in gold and three silver cups as specials.

The winnings were as follows: Bees, display of comb honey, and display of extracted, C. H. Root, Red Bank. Best extracted, 1st, C. H. Root, Red Bank; 2d, W. Garrabrant, Chester, N. J.; comb honey, 1st, N. G. Noble, Lakewood; 2d, E. G. Carr, New