2U 



JOUBKAL OF HOBTICULiUBE AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. 



! January C, 18J0. 



themselves witb honey, which during captivity they seem per- 

 fectly tumble to get rid of. When ultimately released, num- 

 bers of gorged and distended bees of course quitted the hive, 

 to which in this state they would have neither the inclination 

 nor the ability to return. Chloroform when applied to bees is 

 usually more or Its.-; destructive in its effects, but in this case 

 it seems to us that it merely accelerated the fatal result which 

 previous mismanagement had rendered nearly inevitable.] 



DISCOLOURED HONEY. 



It may interest Mr. Pettiiyrew to hear that in Scotland much 

 of the tlower honoy was this year not only unsaleable, but 

 unuseable, from the same blackening as he describes. In many 

 cases, too, the colls were of enormous thickness, and so tough 

 that a knife would scarcely go through them. The blackening 

 LB' here universally ascribed to the bees making use of the so- 

 called honeydew, a secretion of the green fly or aphis. Is it 

 certain that this secretion is innocuous to the bees themselves ? 

 This year I observed on two occasions, in two lime-tree avenues, 

 twenty-five miles apart, the ground strewn with thousands of 

 wild bees, and a large sprinkling of hive bees, dead or dying, and 

 no external injury could be detected on these, even with the help 

 of the microscope. Two years ago, when the aphis and its 

 secretion Mere also specially abundant, I observed the same 

 phenomenon. I kept a few to make sure it was not mere 

 temporary stupefaction, but there was no revival. 



Every rose-grower knows too well that an unusual prevalence 

 of east winds in spring, such as we had this season, and also 

 two years ago, has its sure result in an unusual prevalence of green 

 fly and its secretion. The most probable explanation is, that 

 under the blighting influence of these winds vegetable health 

 deteriorates, and the juices of the plant are brought into a state 

 favourable to the feeding of the green fjy. Nothing is more 

 common in a season like last spring to find the more delicate 

 roses all but killed by this pest, while hardier varieties side by 

 side with them are untouched. It seems, then, possible that in 

 such seasons the whole secretions of plants may to a small extent 

 be changed, and even the nectar of the flowers be affected. The 

 lime trees I refer to were in full blossom at the time, and the bees 

 were certainly making use of the nectaries of the flowers, as well 

 as of the honeydew which coated every leaf. — J' C. B., Mid- 

 Lothian. 



OUR LETTER BOX. 



*** We are sorry to be under the necessity of leaving out 

 many answers to correspondents as well as several com- 

 munications and reports, all of which Bhall appear next 

 week. 



Fowls for Profit (R. L.).— We should advise yon to keep the Brah- 

 mas. They will, we think, bear more in the way of privation than any 

 other fowl. It is privation to have no grass, and it often means no sun 

 either. 



Sickle Feathers of a Silver-pencilled Hamburgh (IF. 67. 67.).— The 

 feather sent by you never formed part of tho tail of a good Silver-pencilled 

 Hamburgh cock. We do not mean to say he was cross-bred, but he was 

 not of the sany amr of the breed. The centre of the feather on each side 

 of the shaft should be black, the edges should be delicately shaded with 

 silver. This feather looks as though the owner had thrown the white- 

 washing brush at the bird and caught the tail with it. 



Spanish Cock's Head Smelling (T. ill.).— It is very often the prelude 

 to fatal illness. Spanish fowls are not liable to roup, but they have a 

 terrible disease that attacks the head and face, and eats away the eye. 

 Purge freely. Use Baily's pills ; add thereto two pills of camphor night 

 and morning, each the size of a pea, and keep the face washed with cold 

 water and vinegar. 



Confining Hambhrghs (Yorkshire).— A thorn fence 3 feet high will not 

 keep Hamburghs in bounds, nor would it if it were four times as high. 

 The only method we have ever found effectual is to cover the top of the 

 pen. We know no fowl so impatient of control as a Hamburgh. 



Committeemen Exhibiting (iv. B. J. ami Oth, rs .—The subject has 

 been fully discussed, and our readers complain that our space is need- 

 lessly occupied by the discussion, so we must decline inserting more 

 notes on the subject. 



Fowls for a Limited Space {J.).— We consider the'Houdan a hardier 

 bird than the Spanish. They lay more eggs, but they are not so large as 

 the Spanish. Do you intend to cross them ? if you do. we always oppose 

 crossing sitters and non-sitters. Either Partridge Cochins or Brahmas 

 properly kept and assorted for laying, should vield you all you want. 



Place for Early Chickens (G. G.).-Keep vour chickens on the 

 ground, and on an earthen floor, which should be covered with dry sand 

 or road grit. The chickens should be under cover ; we keep our early 

 ones in a large barn. Feed on grit, chopped egg, bread and milk, bread 

 and ale, cooked meat chopped tine, bread crumbs, and such like. Feed 

 often, but especially early in the morning, and let the rips be covered up 

 with carpet, sacking, or mats every night. 



Crossed Cochin-Chinas (Poldea).— Tour birds are not, we think, fit for 

 exhibition as Cochins. They are neither " fish, nor flesh, nor gjod red 

 herring." Many years ago we had a number of the then-called Emu 

 Cochins. They were brothers to pure Cochins. Black Cochins are said 

 to bo produced by breeding from a Buff cock and White hen. We have 



cla = 



• bred Cuckoo Cochins. Your birds should ba shown in the " variety " 



Old Bob Ridley.— S. Bricrloy, Esq., Knowle, near Birmingham, wishes 

 to know you. 



Fantail Pigeons— Erratum.— "You have during now more than seven 

 years printed my articles so accurately that I have never had to ask for 

 a correction. Alas! a pen will not always write plainly, so I blame not 

 the printer. The last sentence of my last week's paper reads thus—' The 

 coloured birds, doubtless, got their colouring from a cross with a Runt, 

 and are often ii'-<<ti*t in shape.' It should be, ' The coloured birds, doubt- 

 less, got their colouring from a cross with a Runt, and are "It 

 in shape.' Further, I cannot but remark upon the singular coincidence 

 that in the very same number there should be almost similar words con- 

 cerning the Pigeon in question, and yet the two writers wrote utterly 

 unknown to each other. Yonr reporter, whoever he may he, speaks, in 

 his well-written account of the Glasgow Pigeon Show, at" some length of 

 Mr. Hnie's Fantails. I agree in alt he says, and. singular to sav, they are 

 birds bred by Mr. Huie that I have been watching the last vea'r breeding 

 in tho same loft side by side with a noted English strain. To my mind it 

 is the high-bred Tumbler centra the common, or the African I 

 the English Owl. — Wiltshire Rector." 



Pearl Eyes in Trumpeter Pigeons (A Novice).— Trumpeters arc 

 among the pearl-eyed Pigeons, and except in Whites it is difficult to breed 

 whole white Pigeons of any variety with pearl eyes. Still the rul 

 good, and a pearl-eyed pair would beat one lacking that point. 



Pigeons for Culinary Purposes {E. R. P.i.—As Dorkings are thebest 

 fowls for the table, so Chequered Dovehouse Pigeons are the best Pigeons 

 for the cook. Still, if we were you, we should try to get larger birds and 

 prettier birds in your enclosure. Runts, not the high-class fancy ones, 

 crossed with the common Pigeon, would do admirably : Autwerps and 

 Dragoons also, and a stout Pouter crossed with these would be well. 

 Feed in the morning at nine, and in the afternoon at three. Barley, 

 peas, and Indian corn would do for such birds. Pigeons like to pick at 

 green food a little, but it is no necessity. Take care that there is good 

 water for bathing and drinking. 



Wooden Hives (T. M. N.).— Your dimensions are too large for a set of 

 Xutt's collateral boxes, which we imagine is what you propose to con- 

 struct. Thirteen inches squire by 9 inches deep is a good size for the 

 central "pavilion," and the side boxes may be of the same depth and 

 length from front to back, bat only 11 or l'li inches wide. We should, 

 however, advise you rather to get " Bee-keeping for the Many " I price id., 

 or free from this office for five stamps), and try your hand at constructing 

 a Woodbury frame hive and its appurtenances "from the full directions 

 and measurements therein given. Yellow pine is a better material than 

 red deal for the construction of bee boxes. Ligurian bees are much 

 more beautiful, and are considered better-tempered and more prolific 

 than the ordinary kind. If you write direct to Mr. Woodbury, Mount 

 Radford, Exeter, he will give particulars as to their cost, o;c. 



Bechamel (Bev. W. S.) — Bechamel is a white sauce, resembling 

 hatter, and derives its name from a French nobleman who either invented 

 or patronised it. The composition is as follows: — Cnt in square pieces, 

 each half an inch thick, '2 lbs. of lean veal and k lb. of lean ham ; melt in 

 a stewpan 2 ozs. of butter, and let the whole dimmer till it is about to 

 catch at the bottom ; then add 3 tablespoonfuls of flour, and, when 

 thoroughly mixed, put in 3 pints of broth or water, pouring in a little at 

 a time, that the thickening may be smooth, and stir it till it boil- ; then 

 put the pan on the corner of the stove, or by the side of the fire, to boil 

 gently two hours. Season it with 4 cloves, 1 onion, 12 peppercorns, 1 blade 

 of mace, a few mushrooms, and a bundle made of parsley, a sprig of thyme, 

 and a bay leaf. Reduce to a quart, skim off the fat, anil strain the liquor 

 through a tammy. This is the bechamel ; and to make a sauce of it, add 

 to 1 quart 1 pint of cream, and stir it till it is reduced to a good consistence ; 

 then put in a few mushrooms to give it a flavour, and strain it as before. 



COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— January 5. 

 Thebe is so little change in the state of our market that quotations are 

 nominally unaltered ; very few buyers attend this week, and business 

 generally is dull. Hothouse Grapes continue more than sufficient for 

 the demand. All the rough vegetables are well supplied, and not ninch 

 injured by the late frost. 



FRTJIT. 



A)>pV 



ApricotB 1"Z. ii 



Cherries lb. 



Chestnuts bnshel 



Currants £ sieve 



S 0to5 Mulberries quart Oto 



I'.l . 



doz. 



filberts lb. 6 



Cobs lb. 6 



Gooseberries quart 



Grapes, Hothouse lb. 3 



Lemons ^103 6 



Melons each 2 



Neetarines doz. 



Oranges |- 100 8 L2 



Peaches doz. 



Pears, kitchen doz. 2 3 



dessert doz. 3 5 



Pine Apples . 





Raspberries lb. 



Strawberries ...lb. 



Walnuts bushel 10 



do p-300 1 



GO 



. doz. 



VEGETABLES. 



Broad.... bushel 



Bei t, Hi a doz. 



Broccoli bnndle 



Brussels Sprouts. .& sieve 



Cabbage doz. 



Capsicums V 100 



Carrots bnnch 



Cauliflower doz. 



Celery bundle 



CoIeworts..doz. bunches 

 Cucumbers each 



pickling doz. 



Endive doz. 



Fennel ; bunch 



Garlic 



Leeks bunch 



Lettuce score 



Mushrooms pottle 



Mustard & Cress, .punnet 



Parsley sieve 



Parsnips doz. 



Peas qnart 



Radishes .. doz. bunches 10 



Rhubarb bundle 



Savoys doz. 16 2 



Sea-kale.... basket 2 3 



Shallots lb. 6 



Spinach bushel 2 ."; i; 



Tomatoes doz. << t> 



Turnips bunch 1 :• 



Vegetable Marrows, .doz. 



