96 Qiieries and Answers. 



rushing out," appears to me a weak surmise, devoid of any real foundation. 

 For it happens very frequently that more queens than one are found in after- 

 swarms ; and it is highly improbable that the newly hatched queens would 

 follow one in the swai'm who had been their persecutor, unless driven out 

 by another queen who remained supreme in the hive. Whether queens go 

 off by seniority, as Dr. Dunbar supposes, I cannot say ; though 1 believe that 

 one is supreme when a swarm takes its departure, and that she drives out all 

 that are^ hatched : and I think this accounts for the irregular manner of after- 

 swarms better than Dr. Dunbar's theory. 



It only remains to notice two more assertions of Dr. Dunbar : first, that 

 the old queen is not fiercely disposed towards her successors : and, secondly, 

 that swarming takes place in consequence of the queens going abroad in search 

 of males. On the first, I must refer to the observations already made in the 

 present letter ; and as to the second, though Dr. Dunbar says it is a notion 

 which he never before heard broached, it is nevertheless the belief of some. 

 Mr. Taylor mentions it in his Beekeeper's Alanual ; and it would follow much 

 more naturally from Dr. Dunbar's system than from mine, for I have very 

 little faith in the asserted pursuit after drones. When Huber advanced it, he 

 probably acted like other scientific men, who are very apt to dignify their 

 speculations with the name of facts. It is not unlikely that Huber argued from 

 the analogy of moths and other insects, which however do not congregate in 

 nests like bees. 



In conclusion, I leave these remarks to the judgment of your impartial 

 readers, hoping that as none of them were meant, so none may be taken, as 

 personal. My only object has been my own just and moderate defence ; and 

 the elucidation of a subject highly curious and interesting, though very little 

 understood. — John Wighton. Cossey Hall Gardens, Sept. 23. 1840. 



Art. V. Queries and Ansxvers. 



To protect Forest Trees from the Ravages of Hares and Rabbits. — I should 

 esteem it a great favour, if you, or any of your readers, would inform me, 

 through the pages of your Magazine, of any method for protecting forest 

 trees from the ravages of hares and rabbits. I have a great number of young 

 trees under my charge. Last season I suifered very severely from these 

 animals, and this season they have again commenced their annual attack. I 

 have tried several things recommended by the correspondents of your Maga- 

 zine, but not one of them has had the desired effect. — James Kingston. Salt- 

 marsh, near Hoiuden, Yorkshire. 



Since this was in type, a gardener informs us that an ointment composed 

 of powdered aloes and hog's lard, brushed over the stems of the trees, will 

 prove an effectual remedy. — Cond. 



The Curl in the Leaves of Vines. — A Subscriber, Knightsbridge ( Vol. VI. 

 2d series, p. 568.), cannot do better than paint his vines over with clay, add- 

 ing, if he chooses, a little soft soap and sulphur. The use of such an ope- 

 ration is, to destroy or prevent the hatching of the ova of insects. Where no 

 red spider, &c., have appeared during the previous season, there is not much 

 occasion for performing the operation at all ; but, as timely prevention is better 

 than a late cure, it is advisable to rub the stems and vines with something, 

 and I have found nothing better and cheaper than the above, which remains 

 a long time on the vines, and helps to keep the stems in a moist genial state. 

 — Robert Fish. Putteridge Bury, Jan. 11. 1841. 



