118 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 



[ February 11, 1863. 



oven, I did so thinking that more people would have ovens than 

 stoves. Also I beg to say that whatever heat Dr. Preuss 

 recommends, I consider it sufficient to expose the hives and 

 combs for some days to a dry heat of from 100** to I'JC ; at 

 least I think, although I am not positive, that the heat I used 

 did not exceed this, I may, however, be in error respecting the 

 actual cause of cure, as there were other agents present capable 

 of destroying life— viz., the fames of sulphur and charcoal. The 

 hives being placed right above the stove were in such a position 

 as to catch both, and it is possible that these might have some- 

 thing to do witli the destruction of the fungi, although I am 

 inclined to believe that the penetrating dry heat, carrying off 

 every particle of moisture that remained in the hive, was the 

 real cure. I have merely thrown out these hints for those who 

 may think fit to try the experiment, as I believe that from the 

 means I now use to prevent foul brood, I shall never again 

 have the chance of beholding it amongst my own bees. I shall 

 be glad if those who doubt the correctness of my theory and the 

 efficacy of my mode of treatment will explain why this disease 

 should have vanished from the apiary of — A Lakarkshire Bee- 



KEEPEB. 



HONEY HARVEST IN ESSEX— HIVES. 



On referring to my note-book, I find that in this part of the 

 country, North Esses, the past season has been on the whole a 

 good one, both as regards swarms and honey. I commenced 

 the year with twelve stocks, and on my return from the Con- 

 tinent in May capped my straw hives and supered the boxes. 

 Swarming commenced on May 18th. followed by swarms on the 

 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 31st; June Dth, 10th, and 11th. Some 

 of the latter swarms I united. 



On the 30th of May I took off a super from a Stewarton hive, 

 18i lbs. of beautiful virgin honey ; on Jane 15th, a cap of 

 Silbs. ; June 30th, ll^bs. ; June, 30th, 8} lbs. ; July 6th, 

 13i-lbs. (box) ; July 13th, Gibs. With one exception all these 

 were small straw caps. I have not destroyed any bees, but have 

 left all my stocks well supplied with an abundant store for the 

 winter, no doubt in many cases beyond what the tenants re- 

 quire, but in this I shall reap the benefit by earlier swarms in 

 the spring. 



I quite coincide with '* A Renfrewshire Bee-eeeper" in 

 his encomiums on the Stewarton hive, though I have not yet 

 attained the "judicious management" of preventing swarm- 

 ing ; yet there can be no question about the Stewarton being a 

 good hive, and however picturesque and pastoral straw hives 

 may be, like thatched cottages they must in time give way to 

 improved modern appliances. 



In the Stewarton hive there is one drawback which I am 

 trying to obviate, that is the difficulty of drawing the slides as 

 they are now made. So soon as you admit the bees into their 

 chamber, they make all chinks as tight as possible with wax, 

 and it is extremely difficult to draw the slides. I am having 

 some boxes made with double tops, so that the slides may run 

 between, and thus prevent the bees waxing up the grooves. The 

 Woodbury rib I have not tried, and am doubtful whether there 

 is any gain in struggling to make one's bees work straight 

 combs. So long as they fill the box with good honey, it matters 

 little how the comb is built. Bees delight in varying the build 

 of their combs, and stoutly contest being forced to make them 

 of one uniform pattern. — B. E, 



[Straight combs are essential in all kinds of moveable comb 

 hives, and it is a mistake to suppose that they are in any way 

 obnoxious to the bees.] 



Early Pollen-gathering.— On Friday last (February 5th), 

 I noticed the bees very busy carrying pollen into three of my 

 hives. I consider this very early for this locality, being nearly 

 a fortnight sooner than I have ever seen it before. — Johx 

 GaIiE, Mount Pleast, Alton, Hants. 



OUR LETTER BOX. 



Hewitt Testimonial (P.).— We very much regret to find from your 

 letter, that although it is uiue months Biuce the presentation of the above, 

 one pertjou who was entrusted with moneys has not yet remitted them 

 to the proper quarter. If this is not done at once, and you will com- 

 mnnicate his name, we shall certainly feel it our duty to pnblish the 

 name and particulars. 



BaAHMA Pootras (H. TT.).— Six Brabmas will do in a very small space, 

 and will do well as regards laying. Large space is only requirel for 

 breeding, rearing chickens, and so on. If you cannot give more space 

 you may Itt-cp thorn in a place 19 feet long by 8 wide. If you have not 

 go much room they will do in less. It must always be borne in mind that 



the condition of keeping birds in health in a very small place is that yoa 

 shall, as nearly as may be, provide them with that which they would lind 

 if they were at liberty. They must have grass, grit and lime, old ceilings, 

 &c. If they can have lettuce, so much the better. Their eggs must be 

 collected soon after they are laid, or they will peck them. 



Rabbits (Idem) — You may keep as many does as you like if you allow 

 two nests for each doe ; but you will breed as many again if you keep 

 them separate. " The Rabtit Book " is published at our office, and you 

 can have it by post if you enclose seven postage stamps with your address. 



Erect Feathers (H. T F.).— We imagine the hens peck each other; 

 they are in the habit of doing so. It is very difficult to cure them of the 

 habit, whicli is very disfiguring. We find a good supply of green food, 

 especially lettuce, the best treatment, coupled with the avoidance of 

 stimulants. One hen is generally the chief ofl'euder, and when detected 

 she should be removed. 



Broodiness in Winter (Broodij Hf?!).— Almost any of the sitting 

 breeds will become broody in October and November if they are early 

 pullets. A well-managed yard should be an-anged by it'i owner now for 

 the rest of the year. Dorkings hatched in fUarch, and Cochins hatched 

 in May, lay in the winter, and are broody in December and January. If 

 you want to sit hens earlier than that, keep earlier pullets ; but recollect 

 you must now make your arrangements for vest winter. Unless you do, 

 it will be useless writing to ask "Mr. Editor" what you should do to 

 get " broody hens.'' It is only while they are pullets that any calculation 

 can be arrived at as to laying or sitting. When they have become hens, 

 they adhere to fixed seasons. 



GoLDEN-sPANGLED Hamburghs C*^- I-(mmcr).— You may keep any fowls 

 without a grass run, if you will supply them with what they would get if 

 they had one. They must be supplied with road grit, with waste lime and 

 mortar, and with large sods of gro\ving grass cut with plenty of mould. 

 Some kitchen scraps given occasionally are a great help. 



Eggs III- flavoured (T. 71.).— The taste of the eggs is caused by some- 

 thing that is eaten by the pullets. You can try an experiment. Take 

 the offender, give her castor oil for a day or two, feed her by hand, and 

 when she lays taste her egss. Try another, if you have a weakness for 

 eggs « la Proveiii-ale ; feed a hen on garlic for a week, and you will be 

 delighted with the result. Any flavour may bo communicated through food. 



Desirable Fowls {Fido). — We recommend yoa to keep coloureci 

 Dorkings. 



Silver-pencilled HAaiEunGH Disordered {A. M. Z«.).— It arises from 

 severe cold, which, neglected, will become roup. Give Baily's pills, feed on 

 bread and ale, nnd givL- a pill of cimphor the size of a pea every day. A 

 week's di-y weather will often cure these complaints. 



Age of Rabbits (0</Hwiffaroo).— There are no certain signs whereby to 

 determine age after they have become adults, until they are very old, 

 when the teeth show it. 



Barbs and Owls Mn OW J"oiir»a/tsO-— Your Barbs are not necessarily 

 cross-bred because tliey have turned crowns, as Barbs with this pecu- 

 liarity existed above a hundred years ago They are also quite right in 

 having long tiils and flights. W'e object to Barbs being Tumbler-shaped. 

 We scarcely think, however, that the parents of your birds took any prizes 

 except at small shows, or where there happened to be no smooth-headed 

 birds for competition, as the best birds shown are smooth-headed, and 

 judges iuvariablj' give the prizes to them. Crocus-coloured eyes are not 

 so much Jikod as pear-coloured. We think you will not gain a prize with 

 your birds unless you breed them extraordinarily good in every other 

 property bo that the judges would be led to overluok the tiu'n crown. In 

 regard to yiur black Owls having white tails and turn crowns, they are 

 most probably imported birds, or bred from such. In this breed also, the 

 smooth head is preferred. The black Owls with white tails and turn 

 crowns may be considered a pretty variety, bat we fear you would gain 

 no prizes with them ; but you need not consider them as cross-bred if 

 other properties be good. 



Almond and Saddle -rack Fantails (5(.Edn»(«rf3).— That it is possible 

 to breed Almond Fantails appears from the fact, that in the rare and 

 valuable " Treatise on Domestic Pigeons," published in 1765, the author 

 states under the article headed " The Broad-tailed Shaker," *' I have seen 

 an Almond of this sort, which was purchased by a certain nobleman." 

 To attain your object we would recommend tlio following plan :— Pair a 

 yellow hen with a black cock, their offspring again with yellows, nntil yon 

 reduce the black to less in colour than the yollow. At the same time 

 pair a yellow hen with a white, and their offspring to yellow again, until 

 yon pet most yellow and only a splashed tnil and flight. After a few gene- 

 rations cross those bred from yellow and black with those bred from 

 yellow and white, and you might obtain Almonds. By all means let _us 

 know the result of your expeiiment. Saddleback Fantails are white with 

 dark colour on the shoulders like Turbits. Mr Huia, of Ronan Cottage, 

 Crossbill, Glasgow, has some fine specimens of this variety. 



Polish Fowls (Idem),—Wc fear all yom- Polish fowls are puUcts, by 

 what you mention. 



Moving a Hive (Edwin. Walford).—We should move the hive from a 

 lower to a higher shelf when the bees are in full work, moving them 

 little by little until the hive attains the desired elevation. 



Transferring Bees from Straw Hives {T. B. H.). — If your wooden 

 hives are furnished with frames your stocks may be transferred to them 

 about May. or as soon as they become populous, in the manner described 

 in page 319 of our twelfth volume. If, on the other hand, they are 

 destitute of these conveniences, we should advise you stocking them 

 with swarms from your straw hives. Write to T. Woodbury, Esq., Mount 

 Radford, Exeter, for information respecting Ligurian queens. 



POULTRY market.— February 10. 



The time of year is telling upon the market. The supply is becoming 

 smaller, and the quality is influenced by the mild weather. There is 

 not, however, the ghost of a trade, 



