414 



JOUBNAL OF HOBTICULTORE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEB. 



[ Norember 4, 1875. 



I FIND nothing so neat aa ferns. II these are cut dry at this 

 cejson they have a rustic appearance, and are (laite ag durable 

 as straw. I take a bundle about the size of a wheataheaf, and 

 tie the bottom ends together ; then open the sheaf in halves, 

 and place it firmly on the top of the hive ; then arrange the 

 fronds regularly round the hive. I tie them round the hive with 

 willow bands, and clip the ends below the floorboard. — B. H. D. 



ANOTHER TEAR'S EXPERIENCE. 



A GENTLEMiN in Ireland asks what effect or impression has 

 been nude on my mind by the use of large hives since the 

 ' JIaudy-Book of Bees "was first published. He is evidently 

 a little distrustful of what baa been said in their favour. Our 

 own opinions as to their value and superiority have been pretty 

 atrong and well established for thirty years, but every year's 

 experience furnishes us with incentives and encouragements to 

 do what we can to enlighten public opinion on the question. 



From all parts of the country we hear of successes from the 

 use of large hives of simple construction that were never dreamed 

 of before their introduction. And all who give them a fair trial 

 in a good season become inspired with confidence in them. 



The logic of facts, and outside pressure, may, perhaps, induce 

 the Managing Committee of the Bee-keepers' Association to offer 

 prizis for the heaviest s varms, and the greatest results in honey 

 aad comb from one stock hive managed on any system. If this 

 be done we shall probably find results approaching 3 cwt. of 

 honey and combs exhibited as the produce of one stock hive 

 and its swarms. Last year we suggjsted the offering of prizes 

 for heavy hives and their swarms.' We shiU be pleased if one 

 or two gentlemen offer a handsome prize next year for such 

 hives and swarms. 



Even this year, which has not been favourable for bees, some 

 stock hives rose in weight to 90 lbs.; first swarms to above 

 100 lbs., and second swarms, or turn-out), to 90 lbs. If the 

 British Bee-keepers' Association continue to seek novelties and 

 ;■ fancy goods" (as the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Bligh calls them), 

 instead of seeking the best results produced in England, it 

 will, we think, become the apiarians of this country to do what 

 they can to induce the Boyal Agricultural Society of England 

 to take beeonlture under its fostering wing, for honey is as 

 much a product of the soil a? milk or meat. 



SwABSiiNG AND NoN-swAKMiNQ. — On this point, too, history 

 repeats itself in favour of the swarming system of management. 

 In good seasons for honey swarms become heavier than stocks 

 that never swarm at all, and the mother hives and second 

 swarms rise to 70, 80, and 90 lbs. each. No such results can be 

 obtained on the non-swarming mode of management. Besides, 

 on the swarming system the apiary may be kept full of hives 

 filled with young sweet combs, and possess young queens; on 

 the non-swarming system queens become old, combs become 

 black, tough, and ugly, often pollen-bound and distempered 

 with foul brood. Bee-farmers especially find it to their interest 

 to let their bees swarm. Honey run out of the comb is more 

 saleable here and in many other placss than honeycomb. Oar 

 object, then, is to obtain the greatest weight of honey, and we 

 obtain this more certainly from two or three colonies of forty 

 thousand bees each than from one of no greater strength. 



Another year's experience urges us to recommend swarming 

 in preference to non-swarming, but both may be practised in 

 one apiary. This year we obtained an unusual amount of pure 

 virgin honeycomb, not from supers, but from the hives of 

 swarms. In emptying these the pure comb was placed on 

 dishes and in clean hives on one side, and the darker combs 

 containing honey were placed on the other side. From some of 

 these hives we had as much pure virgin combs as would have 

 filled thrae ordinary-sized supers. Though most of the run 

 honey is sold, we have great heaps of beautiful comb on hand. 

 To be sure we have an order from a distant city for all we have 

 at our own prici, but as it is not in supers we fear it would not 

 oarry well so far. These things are mentioned to let amateurs 

 Jjnow that with large hives managed on the swarming principle 

 they may always have a good supply of honeycomb. 



Another year's experience has tended to open our eyes to the 

 importance of spring-feeding if the weather be unfavourable. 

 Slow continuous feeding, say a halfpenny worth of sugar given 

 to a hive daily during the spring months, whether it. has honey 

 or not, encourages the bees to breed, and greatly tends to health 

 and prosperity. Great assistance, too, is afforded to swarms 

 after they are hived by feeding when the weather is unkindly. 



Keeping hives warm and dry during the winter and spring 

 months is a matter of greater moment than most apiarians 

 think. Bees are easily chilled into helplessness. Hard frost 

 .al>d severe winters try them sorely. Life in winter, while the 

 mefpury indicates 20° of frost, is one of suffering to bees. The 

 winter of 18.39 or 13G0, which brought down the mercury to zero, 

 destroye"J thousands of hives. All hives should have their 

 doors oonttJ.cted now, and ba well protected by coverings of 

 some kind. As additional under garment is often a great com- 

 fort and protection to the human frame in cold weather; and 



bee hives in the open air cannot be too warmly covered. Soft 

 dry hay and woollen rags well stuffed beneath the outer cover- 

 ing of hives afford great comfort to bees. Even three or four 

 large newspapers wrapped around hives protect their inmates 

 much. The outer coverings should be sufficient to ehed-ofi 

 every drop of rain that falls on them. — A. Pettigbew. 



OUR LETTER BOX. 



Address (JV. H.).— We cftouot reveal the adiroes of correspondeuts. If 

 you will eaclope a Jetter in a atampel envelope we will forward it. 



Hen's Vent Tujioured (4. B. C.).— Cut away all the clotted feather?, 

 and with warm wr-ter wasll and cleanse thoroughly the affected part ; after- 

 wards anoint thoroughly with goose greise or lard the skin and flesh all 

 rouud the vent, and repeat the dressing daily while necessary. If the bird 

 seem heated or feveri.sh in the skin give a strong dose of castor oil. Plenty 

 of green food should be given daily. 



Belgian Mode of Eibbii-keeping (J. M., Derby).— The J^sigiine keep 

 their Rabbits very much the same as we do, but they have time and a great 

 choice of food at a very small c jst. The breedmg adults are kept in small 

 pens or boxes in half darkness, and the young wtien weaned are turned into 

 large cages or pens to fatten for the table. Wo think the very small cost 

 of produce has more to do with the amount of protit than any particular 

 bj otem followed. There was formerly a large establishment for rearing them 

 at Nieuport, about teu miles from Oatend. 



WiXEapEooFiNO CiNTAS (,A Siilncriiicr).— Paint one side of the canvas 

 with coal ter in which a small quantity of fit is dissolved, and powder over 

 the tarred canvas some slaked lime. 



Veoetaele Parchment (P. E. .9.).— Wa believe it is made by applying 

 sulphuric acid to paper, but liow or in what proportion we do not know. 



METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIOt^S. 



Camden Squabe. London. 



Lat. 5V 32' 40" N. ; Long. 0' 8' 0" W.; Altitndo, 111 feat. 



BE MARKS. 

 27tli.— Cjld and damp all day. 



29th.— Fair, but dull, and at times very dark all through the day. 

 29th. — Cloudy and dull all day, but without rain. 

 30th. — Fair all day, but cloudy and cold. 

 Slat. — Hazy early, soon clearing off; a fine though cold day; very bright 



about 2 P. M. 

 Not. lat. — Fair and pleasant all day ; but at no time bright. 

 2ud. — Another fair but dull day ; plight raiu at night. 

 A very cloudy dull week, almost without either sun or rain. The mean 

 temperature generally abjut 5^ lower than that ol last week; the mean 

 maximum in Bun wa3 more than 17- below that of the preceding week. — G. J. 

 Syuons. 



OOVENT GARDEN MARKET.— November 3. 

 There is very little alteration to quote this week, and with trade still quiet 

 prices remain much the same. 



FRUIT. 



