318 THE FLORIST. 



The Bee Keeper s Manual. By Henry Taylor. 5th edition. 

 Groombridge and Sons. 

 Notwithstanding the numerous works already devoted to the subject of 

 bee keeping, we are glad to see a new edition of Mr. Taylor's work, as 

 it serves to show the interest felt in bee management is not diminished. 

 The work before us is more a compendium of the various plans which 

 from time to time have had their advocates and admirers, than an 

 original treatise, and the author, we think, gives his opinion fairly on 

 the merits or demerits of each. 



It is quite requisite every one starting as a novice in bee keeping 

 should read what has been written on the subject, and he cannot study 

 a more useful work than the one now noticed, as it conveys information 

 on the history, habit, and management of the bee quite sufficient for 

 all useful purposes, as well as descriptions illustrated by woodcuts of the 

 various contrivances which have been invented for increasing the 

 fecundity and storing powers of this industrious insect. But while 

 recommending this we must warn the reader not to place too implicit 

 confidence on all the plans brought under his notice ; much of the 

 knowledge requisite for a successful bee keeper can only be obtained by 

 experiment with bees themselves, for their temper and habits vary as 

 much as do different families of human beings, and that while success 

 will under one person's management attend a particular plan, the next 

 attempting it may fail. One thing every bee keeper should do : 

 attend to them himself; and when once he has introduced himself to 

 their notice a friendly feeling is established on both sides, which makes 

 their after management more easy. 



We much prefer the collateral system, explained at page 74, to any 

 other, and are convinced from long observation that to force the bee to 

 travel with his load any distance upwards is hurtful and a waste of the 

 insect's power. For this reason we prefer, with the author, shallow 

 hives, and those made of straw to wooden ones. 



PELARGONIUMS. 

 Not having seen any Pelargoniums in bloom for these two or three 

 years, except my own and a few grown in this neighbourhood, what 

 would you or any of your Geranium-growing friends recommend me 

 to add to or discard from the following varieties ? You will oblige me' 

 by giving it a place in your next number. 



J. Riley. 

 Beckby, near Huddersfield, Sept. 14, 1855. 



Optimum, ^Duchess of Wellington, ^Loveliness, *Beatrice, ^Ganymede, 

 Carlos, *Eurydice, Magnificent, Empress, Leonora, *Rosa Beck, *Ariadne, 

 ■'^Emily, Attraction, ^Rachel, Regalia, Queen of May, Virgin Queen, Pilot, 

 *Ambassador, *Neatness, Enchantress, Governor-General, Magnet, *Rosa 

 Foster. 



We would recommend you to add the following in place of those 

 marked thus ^ : — 



Conqueror (Beck's), Fair Ellen, Lord Raglan, Laura, Pandora, Petruchio, 

 Phaeton, Serena, Seraskier, Sanspareil, Una, Wonderful. 



