News From the Locals.

Santa Ysabel, July 30, 1920. Mr. C. E. Millspaugh,

Los Angeles, Calif. Dear Sir:

I am glad I had the pleasure of seeing you and hearing what you had to say. Now the reference to the suggestion of a member of our local in regard to your employment by a broker, cuts no figure with me. You no doubt thought the matter over carefully before accepting the position of service to the industry which is so vital to humanity at this time of great need. An industry which is now in its infancy can be built up until our sales will far exceed the million mark.

I am firmly convinced that we need your experience and ability at this time as never before, for the most of our producers do not yet fully understand the situation. I repeat again' that our only hope for the future is to uphold our organization, or fall-and suffer the dire consequences. I know full well what the past has meant to me, from years of hard experience.

Wishing you all success in the great. work you are performing.

ure.

-G. R. Ritchie.

You know as well as we that a business without vision is doomed to failWe believe we have vision--and that is exactly why we refuse to consider conditions as they exist today as a criterion of what they will be five years hence or even next year. Το build our business for today alone would mean a changing and indecisive policy which would be tossed about by every temporary condition with which any business of considerable magnitude has to contend.-Manager Tucker of the Almond Growers.

NATIVE SONS SUPPORT MOVE

MENT TO SAVE REDWOODS At the recent convention of the Native Sons of the Golden West, held at San Diego, California, emphatic resolutions were passed urging that representative tracts of the redwoods of the Northwestern California coast be saved from impending destruction. The resolution called for the preservation of a sufficient area of redwoods to constitute a state park and a national park, and urged that at the next session of the state legislature such action be taken as might be necessary to acquire suitable acreage of redwoods on behalf of the state as a unit of a national park to be later established.

PRICE OF SUGAR.

Prices for sugar in other countries are some solace to American consumers. While we are paying the hitherto unheard-of rate of 25 cents a pound Great Britain, on rations, pays 26 cents, France pays 26 cents, Italy pays 52 cents and Germany a dollar. "Free" sugar in France-i. e. unrationedcosts 41 cents a pound.

We can at least get all the sugar we need in the United States at 25 cents a pound today, but in the European countries the ration is strict and very limited-rarely over four ounces a week for each person-coupled with all the aggravation of the card system.

Most of the European countries are almost wholly dependent upon imports for their sugar, the beet acreage being very small by comparison to their needs. In a recent report the British authorities held out no hope for cheaper sugar for the present.-Times.

SUGAR SITUATION.

SAN FANCISCO, Aug. 13.-No relief for the sugar situation is in sight, judging from the opening price on beet sugar as announced for this year's crop by the Spreckles Sugar Company.

The price is but 20 cents a hundred less than cane sugar.

In spite of the fact that the present crop estimates exceed that of last year by at least 35,000 tons, the ultimate consumer benefits nothing by the increased production.

The new crop will be placed on the market sometime next week, as the Spreckles mill at Madera started grinding last Monday and is expected to be able to deliver about 2000 bags daily by the first of this coming week. less cane sugar drops, this new crop will go on the market at $19.80 a hundred.-Daily paper.

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The prune and apricot growers have fixed the prices for the 1920 crop. Their general manager says:

"The growers are very fortunate in being able to sell their 1920 crop of dried apricots for an average price slightly higher than the one they received last year. It is entirely due to the association that a market has been developed capable of taking care of this year's crop of dried apricots at the price named." Another feather in the cap of co-operation.

THE HONEY CROP.

The American Bee Journal for August gives the following very complete and comprehensive report of crop conditions the country over:

THE HONEY CROP.

Throughout the New England states the honey crop has been up to normal and part of the section claim a very poor crop, indeed. It was caused partly from the fact that bees were in such poor condition and there were such heavy losses, and partly because honey plants were not in the best condition for the flow.

In New York the conditions seem to be better, some sections reporting a very good crop, while others state there will hardly be a half crop. In this section the crop will be cut down a good deal in some localities by the prevalence of American foulbrood.

In Pennsylvania there will be a small crop, probably 25 per cent of normal, while Ohio seems to have a very fair crop, seeming much better than last year. Turning to the Southern States, we find the crop, so far, has been about 50 per cent of normal, except in Louisiana, which claims the best year in four or five years, with an average of 100 pounds or more per colony. In Mississippi and Alabama the sweet clover flow was practically a failure and their honey will not amount to a great deal. Florida and Georgia have averaged about 30 to 35 pounds per colony, so far, but are expecting a better fall flow. In Texas the crop has been above normal and will probably reach 100 pounds per colony by the time the present flow is over. Around there the beekeepers are very well satisfied, indeed, and have been finding ready sale for their honey, thanks to their well equipped association.

In Indiana and Illinois the flow has been better than expected, although nothing phenomenal. The average will probably be 30 pounds per colony, whereas nothing was expected, in most instances. In Michigan the flow is very good, but they are suffering from a lack of bees, owing to heavy winter losses last year and depleted condition of colonies. Wisconsin claims the best flow they have had for two or three years, with an average of 100 pounds per colony, or better. Minnesota is good, although hardly up to the flow in Wisconsin. In Iowa the conditions are somewhat spotted, the eastern part of the state resembling Illinois, whereas the western part is having an tremely good honey flow. In the sweet

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clover sections the average is said, in some instances, to run to 200 pounds per colony. The flow is also good in Kansas and Nebraska, and Missouri is having a very good flow in some sections, also.

It is a little early to estimate the crop in the mountain section, although Calorado will probably have its ordinary crop cut down to some extent by the ravages to the alfalfa. It seems

that they will hardly harvest as much honey as last year. Montana claims about the same thing, with about 75 per cent or normal. Idaho reporters figure they will average 100 pounds per colony before the season is over and are very well pleased. Washington will also have an excellent flow, while Oregon will hardly have as heavy a flow, averaging from 50 to 75 pounds per colony. In Arizona the flow has been excellent, and in New Mexico, in most sections, it has also been very good, although cut down to some extent by the extremely heavy rains and floods.

California, to be last considered, has very conflicting reports. One reporter states he will have 125 to 150 pounds per colony, and another at least 100 pounds. The average of the reports, however, would indicate that the flow is about two-thirds of last year and that the average will be from 60 to 75 pounds per colony.

HONEY SOLD..

There has been very little honey of the new crop sold, except the orange honey in California and some from the Southeast. California orange honey has been bringing from 19e to 21e and the honey from Florida, Georgia and other points has brought from 17e to 20e.

OFFERS MADE.

A large number of the reporters have stated they have been offered uniformly a price of 19c for white extracted honey and about 16c to 17c for amber. These offers seem to be in the nature of feelers, as buyers are not yet active in trying to get honey.

PRICES EXPECTED.

Not a reporter expected to get less than 20c per pound for white extracted honey, with comparatively a large num ber stating they would like to get 25c for extracted and 30c for comb. The strange thing about the reports is that the price expected on extracted and comb are so nearly the same.

We call attention to the excellent condition both in California, Colorado and Texas on honey prices, owing to the fact that the associations there are controlling a large part of the crop and handling the same so that the bee

keepers will get the very best price obtainable. In Texas there was in inclination to throw the new honey on the market at once. This was averted by the association, and the honey has been going onto the market slowly, with the result that 50 per cent of the crop is already sold and the rest is moving excelently at very good prices, ranging from 16c to 21c for extracted.

Prices offered on California honey were, on July 8, as follows: Water white sage, 192c; white sage, 19c; light amber sage, 18c; Hawaiian, 151⁄2c. For opening prices these are considerably in advance of last year and would indicate that the associations are figuring on a better price for their members than a year ago.

In Colorado, of course, the association has not yet placed any prices on their stock, since the crop is not yet harvested. They will, however, as usual, get top-notch prices for their members.

The United States department report is remarkable for one thing, and that is, that there is left but little honey in the large markets. Evidently the markets are pretty well cleaned up, owing to the shortage of sugar and the excellent demand for honey.

Sugar is still scarce, although getting more plentiful, and the wholesale price in New York has dropped from 28c to 24c per pound.

Let us cease always connecting sugar with honey, and look upon the latter as what it really is, an independent product. Sugar has less influence on honey prices than we often imagine. In 1918 sugar was 82 cents per pound, honey 24 cents. Today sugar is 24 cents, honey 17 cents. Why?

The first car of 1920 comb honey sold by the Exchange sold for $7.00 per case-29 and one-sixth cents per section. This is something like the difference in price of comb over extracted honey which should prevail to make comb honey profitable.

IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

By L. L. Andrews in Aug. Gleanings. This has been one of the coolest Junes ever known. It has surely been a boon to the Southern California beekeeper, and here's hoping that July will be as favorable for the flow of nectar.

The orange honey crop for 1920 has been harvested and, generally speaking, it has been very satisfactory. In some cases beekeepers were in a hurry to move to the sages, and it happened that the neighbor who kept his bees on the oranges a few weeks longer, got much the best crop. A rank second growth on the black sage in most sections gave a big flow. The purple sage yielded well in only a few sections. Generally speaking, it proved to be a great disappointment. The white sage has been blooming for a month and in many places will continue well thru the month of July. The flow has not been abundant and in certain localities is reported as not yielding any honey. With us it has proved to be uncertain from year to year and this year has been only fair. The wild buckwheat is secreting nectar quite freely. In places where moisture is sufficient this shrub continues to furnish some honey until the frost comes.

The Imperial valley is getting its normal crop. They never have had a failure there, and it is only a question of a larger or smaller crop from year to year.

Some large apiarists in Southern California figured on 100 per cent increase and an orange-honey crop. In a few cases, according to the reports, they succeeded.

We hear that the Orange county beemen are getting the best crop in 40 years. There are perhaps two or three years in the last 40 years that about equal this year for average production, but the high price for honey will make this, financially, the banner year during that period. Old-time apiarists say that 1884 and 1895 were great years for honey-making. The secretary of the Orange County Beekeepers' Club says that he will produce 150 tons of honey. The mountains are still covered with bloom, and the bees are working to their full capacity. Honey is bringing a good price. The beekeepers are re tailing it at from 22 to 25c per pound, and the stores are selling it for from 30 to 33c per pound.

Buyers have been around from time to time but they are not as plentiful as before the Exchange was organized. They are ready to buy if they can get

the honey a few cents below the market price. Before the honey was ready for market, they talked about 20 and 21c; but now they give us the old "dope" of a lower market price, a big crop, etc. It has gotten to that stage where the beekeeper is better informed than he was a few years ago, and he is much more able to look out for his rights.

The California Honey Producers' Cooperative Exchange now advances 60 per cent of the market price or the price that a certain grade of honey is selling for at the time of its delivery to the warehouse. Additional advances are made from time to time as the pool in which the honey has been placed is sold. When the honey is all sold, the final adjustment is made and the balance remitted to the beekeeper. Many beekeepers object to the long wait for their money, as they call it. It is an innovation in the way of selling our honey, and the writer is frank in saying that he did not like it at first. But the more it is thought over and its workings observed, the more he is convinced that it is a good thing for great majority of honey-producers.

Heretofore Mr. Buyer came along and said, "Well, how is the honey, Mr. Jones?" Oh, I have a few tons." "Want to sell it?" "Yes," says Mr.

Jones, "I need a little money and would be glad to sell it." "All right, says Mr. Buyer, "I was out this way and just thought I'd call and see you. The market is a little weaker, but we have an order for a car and place one if we can get it at the right price. I can pay you, naming about what we now get as the 60 per cent advance in the Exchange. "Well, that is pretty cheap, but I want to get rid of my honey and you can have it." The money is practically all spent in a few weeks and then-well, there's a wait until next year. In the Exchange we get out money from time to time, over a period of several months or, when the wax is included, thruout the year. In this way we are never "broke," as the saying goes. The fellow outside, by standing under umbrella, will sometimes get more for his honey and will share in the expense. But every Exchange in California has proved the salvation of the industry it represents.

Our

The county ordinance plan of making laws or ordinances for the moving or shipping in of bees is getting to be a nuisance in California. One beekeeper, who had his apiary prepared and ready to ship, at a considerable expense of time and money, found at the

eleventh hour that the supervisors of the county into which he expected to move had passed an ordinance prohibiting the moving in of bees except in combless packages. Now it seems to me that the state should have laws strict enough to protect each county, and yet liberal enough so that the honey crop of the state can be harvested to the best advantage. This should be done irrespective of the fact that a county line separates a location on which an early honey flow is the only one, and by moving a few miles a beekeeper can take advantage of the probability of two or three different sources of honey flow. The general schedule for the gathering of honey in Southern California is: orange and mesquite in March and April; sages and and wild buckwheat in May June; sweet clover, alfalfa and lima beans in July and August; and often all of them within a radius of 75 or 100 milesbut there are county lines between in most cases. Let us get together and have state laws that protect from disease by contamination, but are flexible enough so that the beekeeper who has his tens of thousands invested in the business can carry on his chosen pursuit unhampered by these petty county ordinances.

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"A certain number of growers feel that any price that will net us less than the highest price paid by our competitors for one or two crops is sure indication that we are asleep at the switch,' and are not using even ordinary intelligence in the marketing of the crop, and to them any price named by us that is less than the maximum price named by our competitors will be a disappointment. On the other hand with the large amount of raisins we are now producing, and an increasing production in sight, we believe that it is easily possible to pass the point of saturation and price that though it might seem alluring when made would prove disastrous in the end by preventing the entire consumption of the crop, and in this case the final results would be less than a more reasonable price would produce. Admitting freely that the present market on raisins is exceedingly strong, we must not overlook the fact that a crop can not be sold, delivered and eaten in a day, a week or a month, but is the problem of a year, and in these days of inflation, discontent and uncertainty who is there among us that can determine now, for a year in advance, the difficulties that may come to prevent the marketing of 200,000 tons of raisins before another crop is grown? Who can tell how many thousand tons of Smyrna and Spanish raisins and how many thousand tons of Grecian currants may be dumped into the United States this year in competition with our California crop, as a result of the high prices now prevailing, and who among you will say without hesitation that there will not be financial difficulties in the next twelve months that may seriously affect the consuming power of the country?

"We admit that this method is an experiment that may prove a disappointment, but we believe in it and are taking the chance that goes with every new and untried plan."

Later. The auction sale in New York on August 9th brought unprecedented high prices, but was a disappointment in the fact that all sales were made to a leading competitor of the Raisin Association, a local broker of Fresno, thus creating a practical monopoly. The probabilities are that this stock is destined for beverage manufacturers.

HONEY AND BEESWAX.

The market opened the past week with considerable activity. The California Honey Producers' Exchange negotiated during the week several large export sales and a good number of good Eastern orders were filled. Sufficient honey was contracted at current prices to have a decided strengthening influence upon the market, in the face of the good crop that is now assured. Beeswax steady and in good demand.Rural World, July 1st.

Read the above item again, Mr. Exchange member. It is the first recognition of the position of the Honey Exchange in the produce market by any Los Angeles agricultural paper.

If any one thing has been demonstrated by the local agitation in honeybuying circles since the Exchange entered the market, it is the fact that, whether we want it or no, the volume of honey handled by it practically sets the price.

The Exchange, after a careful survey of conditions, offered its honey at a price which it thought could be maintained; it is still maintaining those prices and still selling honey at those prices, while the independent brokers are offering the producer from five to seven cents per pound less, hoping to secure a big stock to sell at the advanced prices which are sure to come.

Why? Because a short crop of honey, the country over, and the fixing of new-crop sugar at practically 20 cts. per pound wholesale cannot mean lower prices.

Brokers are selling light amber alfalfa at 132 cents. Who makes this possible? Only the weak-kneed producer, who is always ready to sell on a falling market, and thus play into the hands of the brokers.

We are selling honey at 17 cents which you are being offered 12 and 13 cents for, Mr. Beekeeper. Better look into the advantages of an exchange membership. By the way, 25 new members have joined us since July 1st, whose holdings aggregate over 500 colonies.