Sep. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 665 



long after the bolls are open, or discoloration from sun and rain will result. 

 For the first few pickings there will hardly be a full day's work on a 

 6-acre plot, but when the crop is fully productive, an amateur should be' able 

 to pick at least 100 lb. per day ; smart pickers can get up to 200 lb. or 

 over per day under favourable conditions. With an average yield of i,000 lb. 

 per acre, and an average picking of 100 lb. per day, a 5-acre field will 

 require about fifty days' picking for one man. With wet days and other work 

 on the farm, this area is suggested as sufficient for one man to look after, 

 unless he can procure other help. 



After picking, the cotton should be exposed for a few- hours to the sun, in 

 order to remove any excess of moisture. 



Compared with maize, it is pointed out that although the cost of harvest- 

 ing cotton is high, no further treatment is required, while maize, of course, 

 has to be husked and threshed before marketing. 



The yield of lint (ginned cotton) is usually about one-third that of the 

 weight of seed cotton harvested. 



The value of the cotton-seed after the ginning process is well recognised 

 in America, where the seed is extensively used for the manufacture of cotton- 

 seed oil and of cotton-seed meal, which is largely used as a stock-food. 



Bees Superseding their Queens. 



It was noted by the presence of supersedure queen cells in a hive that a 

 certain colony was about to supersede its queen. To all outward appearances 

 the queen was all right, laying well and keeping up the population of the 

 colony. As she was of pure Italian stock, and it was thought that some 

 other condition not due to the failing of the queen might have been the cause 

 of the bees desiring to supersede, it was decided to give the queen a chance. 

 The queen was removed and introduced to a good, contented colony ; within 

 a fortnight supersedure cells were noted there also. For further test the 

 queen was introduced to yet another colony, but within a week, after laying 

 fairly well, she died. 



It seems in this peculiar case that although there was no outward sign of 

 tbe failure of the queen, either the bees or the queen herself must have 

 anticipated the failing. In some cases, especially in accord with the 

 peculiarities of the season, good queens may be superseded, owing, it is 

 believed, to the bees considering the queen not progres.sive enough in egg 

 laying to suit them. As the work of the queen is a good deal regulated by 

 the condition of the honey flow, weather, &c., the supersedure of a good 

 queen is really due to some peculiarity of the season. A little stiumlating 

 feed given regularly at such times when supersedure and balling queens is 

 prevalent is recommended. Above all, do not interfere with the colonies 

 more than is absolutely necessary. — W. A. Goodacre, Senior Apiary 

 Inspector. 



