THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 1^9 



the pots, the bottom leaves turn yellow and very soon fall off, and 

 the beauty of the plant is lost. This plant ought to be put out with 

 every leaf entire, and as fresh and bright as the young growth at 

 top. It may be kept through the winter in a house where the 

 temperature does not go below 50 3 , and such plants, although some- 

 what long-legged, make grand features for centres or backgrounds 

 the next season. 



Caladium esculentum is another noble and telling object for any 

 purpose where fine-foliage plants are admissible. It requires liberal 

 treatment in the way of plenty of pot-room and rich soil for three 

 months previous to its being planted out, and then it well repays 

 for the trouble. It will succeed admirably in warm sheltered places 

 out of doors, but requires plenty of water and frequent syringing 

 overhead. 



A common mistake, made by many of us, is putting out these 

 tender subjects too early. On the first outburst of summer weather 

 in May, the "bedding mania" takes hold of us, and we commence 

 operations in earnest, seemingly regardless of the consequences of a 

 change of weather. The present season is no exception, yet I will 

 undertake to say there are thousands of these tender subjects out, 

 exposed not only to cold nights, but cold days ; and then we wonder 

 why they don't thrive. Let those who have erred this year take my 

 advice for the future and grow the plants larger, and wait until the 

 first week in June next year, and I can promise them they will have 

 no cause to regret having done so. 



THE GE11MAN BEEHIVE. 



BY SIR THOMAS TANCRED, BAKT. 



[jN the course of an interesting and most valuable paper on 

 " Bee- Culture," read at the Inventors' Institute, Sir 

 Thomas Tancred, Bart., gave the following account of 

 the "Improved German Hive." 



In order to obtain the testimony of a disinterested 

 writer as to the essentials of a good hive, I will cite, not a German, 

 but a French author. I find these essentials well summed up by the 

 latest Erench writer on this subject with which I am acquainted, the 

 Abbe Sagot, in his Culture des Aheilles ; — 



" Every hive which does not allow artificial swarms to be easily 

 made without stupefying the bees, and the honey to be taken with- 

 out disturbing them or destroying the brood, and the provisions 

 necessary for it, is defective, and will soon discourage a bee-keeper, 

 instead of inducing others to imitate him. The best hive, therefore, 

 is one which, whilst agreeable to the nature of the bees, at the same 

 time allows their possessor to execute with ease all the operations 

 belonging to apiculture — such as a complete inspection of the combs 

 at the opening of spring, prompt and plentiful feeding when necessary, 

 propagation by artificial swarms on any day required at the will of 



