66 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



purposes, as is the case in shallow soil, with the manure near the 

 surface. 



Sowing the seed too early must be avoided, or the crop will run to 

 bloom and the roots become hard and useless. The end of April, or, 

 in places where there is generally a good autumn growth, May is early 

 enough to sow. The Salsafy should be in drills 3 inches deep and 16 

 inches apart. Scorzonera should be allowed a few inches more, as its 

 tops are more bulky. When thinned, 6 to 7 inches between each plant 

 is close enough to leave them. It is not a rare occurrence to meet with 

 these vegetables sown thickly and never thinned out at all, but they 

 are as much improved as Carrots, or any similar crop, by being allowed 

 room ; and the reverse of this can only result in very inferior roots. 

 Really well-grown roots are much esteemed in winter, and, manipulated 

 by good cooks, both these vegetables form palatable dishes. 



The after-treatment is very simple, and consists of keeping the 

 ground between the rows well stirred and clean. Being winter veget- 

 ables, they are seldom asked for till November ; and as they are very 

 hardy, the roots may be left in dry soils, covered over with litter, and 

 dug up as required, or they may be lifted and laid away in damp 

 sand under cover. D. T. 



ON THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES. 



The substance of the following and succeeding communications was 

 delivered in the form of a paper entitled 'Half an Hour on Bees,' 

 and was read at one of the Hanwell (Middlesex) penny-readings by a 

 "Hanwell bee-master." 



In saying a few words on behalf of my especial favourites, I trust 

 they will tend to a better understanding of their nature and habits, 

 and of some of the causes of failure and disappointment that often 

 mar the best attempts and aims of the bee-keeper. I have no more 

 to say on the natural history of the bee than may be necessary to ex- 

 plain phenomena alluded to as I take my way in pursuit of my sub- 

 ject ; nor shall I advance any statements, theories, or so-called facts, 

 culled from any published works, on the subject of bee-management, 

 but shall state only what I know to be true from actual experience. 

 Published works are in many cases little better than advertisements; 

 and their theories, statements, and facts contradict each other pro- 

 portionately as each particular writer is interested in the system he 

 endeavours to uphold. 



Bees may be profitably managed under any system but that of 

 systematic neglect, and the wilful disregard of the dictates of common- 



