Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-08-16
MARKETING THE HONEY CROP

College Park. Aug. 16.-The market
ing of any product is a problem entire
iy aside from the business of produc-
ton. So involved has this problem
become that all large business con-
Germs recognize the necessity OF en-
ploying experts to place their prod
ucts where they viii sell the most
readily and secure the most profitable
return.
Individual producers have paid too
little attention 10 this important
phase of their business. Beekeepers
in particular seldom realize the
necessity of doing more than produce
honey which may be disposed of as
quickly as possible TO the highest
bidder. Producing honey is only one
half the game. If the other half is
neglected the results are only fifty
per cent
Efficient marketing concerns itself
with four distinct problems; the pro-
duction OF a standard article, main
tanning constant supply, regulating
IL
ing 1t may be argued that these are
| problems for thea commission men,,
wholesalers, and corporate concerns;
y that the individual producer will find
| it Improbable or inadvisable to both
market and produce. Nevertheless,
the difference in returns will usually
more than repay for the effort re-
quired to market properly.
Broadly speaking there are two dis
tinct markets for honey; the local
market, and the wholesale market.
Few beekeepers in Maryland sell at
Wholesale, most of the honey being
disposed OF in the immediate neigh
borhood However, contrary to the
prevailing idea, the market principles
mentioned are most important where
local selling is practiced.
Nothing is more discouraging TO
the honey business than the yearly
| dumping OF the entire crop on local
markets, in any kind of a package,
with little or no advertising, and at
ridiculously variable prices. Beekeep-
ing will never become a business until
every beekeeper realizes the import
ance of proper marketing.
1t is essential that each producer
develop standard, neatly labeled
and attractive package both for comb
and extracted honey. This package
once secured should remain I'M
changed from year to year and be
kept constantly before the public by
consistent advertising in the papers,
in the store windows, by road side
! signs, posters, etc.
1t is ruinous to dispose of all the
honey at once as the best of trades
will soon die IL its demands are not
constantly filed AS the market ex-
pands and the competition becomes
keener it may be best to dispose OF
supplied markets may be avoided.
Underselling is never safe and should
be avoided. 1t results in artifcially
lowering the local market. Beekeep-
ers should guide themselves by the
general market They will find the
honey market reports issued by the
Department of Markets a great aid in
determining prices. These reports
may be secured free by application to
| the ONCE of Markets United States
Department of Agriculture, Washing
ton, d. c.
Maryland beekeepers should realize
also that comb honey of fine grade
| is not easily produced in the State
and that because of this fact and the
| tremendous demand for liquid honey
on the general market the production
of extracted honey is the best BUSH
ness proposition.