Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-12-19
MILLION AND HALF POUNDS
OF HONEY IS UTAH's RECORD

~ E,ElSEEPERS OF tire stuto are
~ lamenting the fact that con-
A D ditions this Year haze been about
as unfayorable as they were in
1907, which means that the output has
been iii the neighbohood of % per cent
less than what 1t was in 1905. The
cause Is practically the samoa cold.
damp and prolonged spell during a
period Of the year when spring should
have been here in all its glory and
warmth. with budding flowers for the
busy bees to feed upon, There is one
,, condition, however that base been fav-
orable to beekeepers iii Salt Lake
county, and that Is the absence of
smelter smoke which heretofore de-
stroyed hundreds of colonies.
This year the output of honey has
been good. In Salt Lake county the
colonies have averaged from $50 to
800 pounds. The output for the entire
state IS estimated ut 100000 pounds
of extract, 100000 comb and 10000
pounds of wax That there has not
been more is duo to some of the bee
keepers in their carelessncss in handl-
| ing their bees. One man in tho south-
| ern part of the state. owning 300 co.'s
| ones, got practically nothing from
| them because the bees were too closely
| confined in the hives were too closely
| robbed and, in consequence, ate the
honey and brood.
The demand this year has far ex-
| eeeded the supply ana every pound Of
| honey produced has found u ready
market, The prices have been good
| too, as Utah honey is in great demand
| everywhere because Of its general sup
| eriority. 1t has sold for eight cents
| wholesale, 10 cents retail and 121s
| cents for comb
Il, S. Lovsey, president OF tho Bee
| ISGpTprS'
the business for "a years. says that he
| produced 500 pounds this spring and
has never done better than this year.
| II find that there are two cUndi-
| tons necessary to success said he,
namely, strong swarlrls and good
| management. Where these conditions
exist the reports from our bcellecpcrs
are most gratifying. From many of
| the reports | find from $50 to 800
! pounds To the colony, and an average
| Of 90 pounds to the hive. These re-
| ports come from the north central and
| southern Utah.
| "Ono thing that the peeNecpers OF the
| state are soreiy in need of is a state
| Inspector and we hope that the next
| legislature viii take up the matter and
| pass a law so that the governor may
appoint such an official IN addition to
| the county inspectors. Another thing
! l wish to call attention to and that is
| the carelessness of some of our bees
| keepers in failing 10 properly handies
the colonies. In some instances | know
| of the keepers have practically suffice
| ated the bees by sealing them UP too
! tight during cold weather. This Should
| not be. They should have proper vcn-
! tilation and have Il chance to get OUT"
| Now that smelter smoke is q thing
! OF the past and no longer a menace to
| bees, there Is greater confidence among
Keepers Of apiaries and they have
| abiding faith In the success of the in
| dustry. Conditions generally arc re-
| ported TO be excellent and what losses
| have been suffered this year,asido from
| the damage done by tnfaVorahle
| weather conditions, have been caused.
| Mr.. I.ovesy says, by the Indifference of
the beekeeners and their neglect 10
properly care for their colonies. He
! says there is hardly amy limit TO thot
benefits and profits to be derived from
| the industry If the raisers Will but pny
proper attention 10 the business.