11& 



JOUIINAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ Feiniary 7, 1867. 



of this article that the cKflScnlty of loosening the frame* \«heiJ 

 cemented by the bees is in a preat measure obviateil, and thai 

 the object can be effected without the necessity of tbrastin^' 

 the finger inside the hive. It was found, however, that the 

 wooden notches wliich " Sibep.t's " bar frames rested in were 

 liable to brenk in the process of moving the frames. Mr. Pettitt, 

 of Snargate Street, Dover, has overcome this difficulty by the 

 invention of a raetDllic-bar rest or rack for the reception of the 

 ends of the clongatedbar frames, towliich allusion is made by 

 " SiBKnT " .it the conclusion of his communication above re- 

 ferred to, as also in an article signed " F. C. V." which imme- 

 diately follows it. 



The advantages of the metallic bars over the wooden notches 

 are — 1st, Their durability ; '2nd, Their freedom from expansion 

 or contraction from the effect of weather ; Sid, Their great 

 Bimplicity and capability of adaptation to the Woodbury or 

 Langstroth hives by the merest novice in the art of carpcu- 

 terirg. 



The elongxted top bar has been ingemously made applicable 

 by Mr. Pettitt to existing Woodbury and Langstroth frames, and 

 can be fixed to or removed from them as occasion may require 

 by the most simple means. Thus, the interchange of combs 

 between hives of the original and altered constriiefiou (required 

 in the process of forming artificial swarms), is not frustrated. 



The Sibert-Pettit.t, if I may so term it, plan will be found to 

 embrace, and with more simplicity, all that Mr. Geor„'e appears 

 to desire, with one exception — viz., " the frames can be gently 

 pushed one towards another without lifting up." The force of 

 this remark I cannot comprehend, inasmuch as the object of 

 opening a bar-frame hive is the inspection of the combs. How 

 is this to be performed without lifting the frames out ? — X, 



BEES CLUSTERING— MOVING HR^ES. 



I HAVE two common hives of bees in a bee-shed, which does 

 not answer, as the bees cluster in numbers within it during the 

 gummer without swarming. I wish to have the front taken 

 out, and on its completion place the shed and hive 5 yards 

 further back, and to the left of tlie original position the same 

 distance. Can this be done with safety to the bees, and should 

 the bees be moved gradually, a yard or so at a time, or at 

 once? They will have to be put on common stands whilst the 

 shed is altered. — Indcbtma. 



[Bees often cluster outside their hives without swarming, 

 whether kept in a bee-house or left exposed. The true remedy 

 is either to super the stocks or form artificial swarms as may 

 best suit your views. The stocks had better remain on the old 

 Bpot until the season is sufficiently advanced to set them fairly 

 at work, then move them very gradually — say a foot or so once 

 a-week, until they reach the desiied position. J 



OUR LETTER BOX. 



PotTLTRY Show at Bury St. Kdmunrs.— We are happy to inform onr 

 readers poultry will be exhibited at the Royal Agri-ieuItm-arSociety's Show 

 at Bui7 St. EdJnunds. in July next, and a liberal prixe list will shortly be 

 published. 



Poultry CHRo^"ICLE 'Lady Bam).— It ceased to be published as a 

 separnte periodical in 1855, and was incorporated with onr Journal. 



Rice for Fowls (D. S.).— Rice is not good poultry food. It is toopoor, 

 and has a tendency to produce vermin. It may be piven at times for a 

 chanpe, but only in hot weather, and when thirre is ahundKnre of natifrfil 

 food to counteract its illelTects. The only way in which it could bo dressed 

 to make it good fDod would be to boil it with meat. 



Frost-bitten Combs (Subscriber).~We have many fowl:^ with their 

 combs frozen, but none with lefjs so affected. Wc believe some will lose 

 their nails, but we have none crippled by it. There is no cure for tho 

 comb, the frozen part must die off, and we should tremble for the frosted 

 ieffs. 



Turkeys for Breeding {W. G.).— We advise you to buy bird.-; of last 

 spring, or, if yon lilto, a cock of 1865 and hens of 1R66. If, however, any 

 one keeps a cock in your neighbourhofid you need not buy one. You 

 can bon'ow him for twenty-four hours, or hire him, or send yuur hens on a 

 visit to him. That is all that is necessai-y, and is ns effectual as if yon 

 had as many eoeks as hens. There is much siinilai'ity between Turkeys 

 and sheep in this respect. 



Cochin- 'HiNA Cock's Eyes (TF. J. iV.).— There is" an eye sometimes, 

 found in Cochins called the "Jerry" eye. It is not a luahtless eye to 

 appearance, but it is so in fact when the bird becomes middle-aged. The 

 celebrated "Jerry," the property of Mr. Sturgeon, handed down this only 

 fault and bis mnnv virtues to his posterity. 



Varieties or Combs {M. L. A.\—A rove coinh is a double one full of 

 points, like that of the Hamburgh. A pea cnmh is as it were made up of 

 three single combs pressed into one. that in the centre b^ing tho highest, 

 and having on each siile the impression or projecting outline of the <romb 

 united to it by pressure. The cup comb is upright and single in front, it 

 then divides ; each side bows out in the centre and unites at the back, 

 forming a cup. This comb is serrated all round. A hen will hatch 

 Goose's eggs, but she does not cover many. 



WottK-OUT. Fpaxtsh Fowls (J. E. ff).— The Spanish c^ck, seven years 

 nld, Tfris woi-h out; the falling off of circulation, indicated by his diH- 

 i'"lrjared comb, was a, proof of it. Wo have no doubt he had Hint liver. 

 Tlii.s will often ttceoinpany a state of body in which th.- blood fills only 

 nno fuuetiou— that of depoaitiing> fat. VVe hiive seen u youn,' fjwl al- 

 (ii'jst bloodless, l)iit 9ii fat us to ciuse a cciisation of n.11 useful «tperatinn» ■; 

 (if the body. Itn^as:!, CochinpulUit, andsho looked Hkeabadlv-Jauudioea 

 pntient in the fa'oc. We killed her bv euttiag her thro U, but'ciuJd draifif 

 only a few drops .of jthick blood. Had t^Ue lived a little longer these' 

 would have been absqrbed, and she would huvo died from want of blood;. 

 We have never seen youQ'.,' ■•p.inishdipin this way, hut tht-yhAvo disease*'.', 

 of theii'own. TUey ^ro not hmg lived, n'uie of tho nou-sitters aro, and/ 

 few of the egg-producers reach the ago of thre^ wll,]ioatmore or less of 

 disease in the difforent organs h.iv'ing to do witij ^U^forniatiou uud laying 

 of eggs. 



EGO-PRoDTTcmo FowLS (J. D ).— Bnihmas, Cochius. and Hond^ns arc 



the best layers. They are also very hardy. For a hundred fowls to dt> 

 Weil you Bhould have an acre and a half or two acros of ground. At 

 pr'jsent their food would cost you Sot. por week. Later, when there is 

 niitur.al fof.d to be h.ad, they w.mld cost one-third less. You can keep 

 them iu a smaller place, but the ab »ve would ensure you greater success. 

 Cross-breedins Fowls [N.firdy S'*h?cr/b^r).— We do not approve of the 

 cro^^s between Krahmis and Hnudans, because tho latter are non-'^itters. 

 It is nlffiiys bad policy to mate such with good sitters Ho'idausare 

 very hardy, they are capital layer", and will live as well in confloomcnt 

 ns in an uulimiled spaca. Dn-Jtings want a large space. We thiak the 

 cross you name between Br.ihmas and Durkings v.il! make you .strong 

 and good fowls, also excellent for tiblo puri>oie.=». Thi?y will not be fit 

 for tho market at ten weeks; you must allow, even under favourable cir- 

 cumstances, six or ei'jlit weeks more. If you keep either Cochins, 

 Brahmas, -Spanish, or Houdans fir egg?, they may be shut up in small 

 places without doLriraeut, and ynu will want your gras^ rua for the hens 

 ami chickens. Till, however, "the chickens arc hatched the birds* may 

 run over it. 



SCTSSOR.S For. DuBBnro; rx 1'. Z.).— Yoa oin buy them at any cutler's. 



The scissors used by grpoms to oUy hm-ajs answer vary well ftnJ this 

 pui-pose. 



Cataruh in Fowls {Gallua).~T>vy wcofther will be the heat and altaort- 

 the only remedy for the discharges from the nostrils. For many weakB 

 we have had eithei- raiu or snow. The bird^ have lacked dust f ir baths 

 and a dry surf ice fur scratching. Conticue the bread and ale and you will 

 carry them on till they are cured by dry and perhjips sunshiny weather. 

 We hnvG never tried mustard, and eaunot therefore give an opinion. We ■ 

 shouhl not like to give much of it. We do not think there is any fear of 

 crossing iu the case you mention. 



PRAHWA Pootras— Bantams (-T.-m).— There is no reason wliy a BrihToa . 

 Pootra pullet running with .a three-year old cock should not produce good , 

 chickens. As you object to Game Bantams we rocommeud you to keep 

 Golrt-Iaced Sehrights. . 



TrnKET's Face swoll^.x f J". JIT.),— It is certainly merely local, and; 

 neither hereditary nor infectious. 



Food Required for Fowls [A. i?.).— The qnantity varies with the 

 season and the kind of fowl. Four pnuads of barley-meal pel* week for 

 eich maybe near the average. '• The Poultry Book" contains directions 

 for managing Ducks. [M. L. A.). — Your twenty-one fowls, bu.sidea the 

 sci'.aps you mention, should have five pints of meal and five piats of 

 barley daily. 



Fowl BaBATHrNG with Difficulty 'Xca;).— Wc believe that the symp- 

 toms you mention indicate catarrh, caused by the recent severe weather 

 and subsequent rains. Gcnernus food, with broad soaked in ale once 

 daily, and confinement in a sheltered out-building, will be the best treat- 

 ment. We consider roup contagious, and should remove entirely a fowl 

 alHictdd with it. Confining it in a pen in the fowl-heuse where the other 

 fowls are we do not consider a sufiicient sepiration. 



Preparing Runts f.ir ExnjEinoN (J^mosf)-— Feed your Runt.s on 

 good beans ; they are believed to improve tho coloni' and add to the gloss 

 of the feather of Pigeons. Let them have a bath twice a-wcek, but not 

 inside their house, as the floor will become wet and dirty, and the birds 

 will soil their w*ings and tails. Of course you keep your loJt scrupulously 

 clean, removing all dung, &c., daily. We have blocks of wood, cut from 

 limbs of elm, a foot across and a foot or so high, for tho Pigeons to roost 

 on. Wc place such a block in front of each two nests ; then, tho birds so 

 roosting, the dung drops clear of them, and when the cock sweeps his 

 tail on the pen it does not become dirty. If after the bath your hght- 

 colourcd birds still look soiled, wash with soap and water, using a small 

 sponge, and dry them iu a basket littered with straw or hay by the fire. 

 We recently wrapped up a washed birdiu flannel to keep him warmer, 

 and so that he should dry better, the weather being verj' cold. In Owls 

 blue is the best colour, then silver, then auy other. If black and white 

 were equally well bred their value would be equal. It would be a mere 

 difi'erence of taste. 



PouTEa Cock Iu. \A Brj777znrr>.— Separate your sick bml from the 

 rest; i>ut him iu a clean dry pen where you can watch him; limit his 

 supply of water : give bim one grain of calomel three times a-week ; then, 

 if better, and if he be very thin of fle.^sh, give a smiU dose of ood-liver oil 

 ouce a-day. If you feel a lump of undigested food, cut opon the crop, 

 remove tbe lump, and neatly sew up tho crop, having well cleaned it. 



Work on Beks {N. S. S.). — A work such as you name was published 

 once and failed. Tbera are not enough readers. "Bee-keeping for the 

 Slany " may be had free by post from our office for five postage s'amps. 

 It was written by the late 3Ir. Payne, one of the best practical apiarians 

 of our time, and has now many ndditioua from former contributions to 

 our columns. 



Lanarkshire Bee-keeper.— Tho correspondent adopting this .signa- 

 ture, answered in our last, was not " A Lanarkshire Bee-keeper " who 

 occasionally contributes to our columns- 



Total Mortality in a Hive (Jf/adyii^— It might have been better to 

 leave the entrances unolistructed : but we believe it to have been just 

 such an instanco of " starvation in tho midst of plenty " as wasdescribtid 

 by Mr. Woodbury in page f 8. 



REMovrNG Paint from an Aviary (J. E.Ar.).—Heatthe paintstrongiy, 

 and then it can be scraped off readUy. 



Booic {Old B'-i hive).— '"Tho Cina'ry and Other SongRirds'' contains 

 all .the information you seek. You can have it free by post from oar 

 office if you enclose twenty postage stamps with your address. 



