The Canadian Horticulturist. 105 



material; but if this cannot be procured, mosquito netting will do. A piece two 

 feet wide and eighteen inches long will make one. 



How to make it. Sew it up the side in the form of a bottomless bag, put 

 a wide hem at the top, into this hem run a piece of strong elastic cord, tie the 

 ends of the cord, and the veil is made. How to wear it. Draw it down over 

 the brim of an ordinary hat, till the elastic cord comes to the bottom of the hat 

 band — that is, at the junction of the brim with the crown. Put the hat on the 

 head, pull the bag-like veil over the face and neck, tuck its lower part under the 

 vest or braces, and the face and neck will be secure against the attack of the 

 most pugnacious bee. The brim of the hat keeps the veil out from the face and 

 neck, so that entire protection is secured to those parts of the person. When 

 gloves are worn, the material of which they are made should not be heavy, other- 

 wise the free use of the hands will be impeded. Woolen gloves should not be 

 worn, as bees are impatient of rough surfaces. Rubber gauntlets are sold by 

 supply dealers, but they are not to be recommended, for many reasons. Whilst 

 they are impervious to bee stings, they are too dear, and altogether uncomfort- 

 able. Besides, they soon rot from becoming saturated with perspiration, which 

 is prevented from escaping by the character of the material of which they are 

 made. A pair of old kid gloves are the best, all things considered. If a piece 

 of cotton, wide enough to go over the coat or shirt sleeve, and long enough to 

 reach half way to the elbow, with an elastic cord at top, be sewn to the top, or 

 wrist, of the glove, and about an inch of the finger tips cut off, you will have the 

 cheapest and best gloves for the purpose. The cotton addition, held in place 

 by the elastic band, effectually protects the wrists, and prevents bees from crawl- 

 ing up the coat sleeves. The tips of the fingers protruding through the gloves 

 gives as much freedom of action as if the hands were bare. The kid affords all 

 the protection needed to the hands and fingers. Thus equipped, the most timid 

 need not fear being stung, however much bees may be disposed to resent 

 intrusion. 



To secure absolute immunity, it only remains to draw the top of the socks 

 over the bottom of the pants legs, and you stand forth master of the situation. 



Otven Sound. R. McKnight. 



The Red Birch (Betula nigra), although perhaps hardly so quick a grower 

 as our native species, is well worth attention, if only for the picturesque effect 

 produced by the red bark during the winter months. In the Red or River birch 

 the red bark hangs in thin, broad flakes from the stem and larger branches, and 

 jmparts a distinct and peculiar appearance to the trees — an aspect as different as 

 can well be from that presented by the chalky-white, smooth trunks and branches 

 of the Silver birch. The Red birch, in its native habitats along the low river 

 banks in the United States, forms a medium, or rather large-sized tree ; the wood 

 is light-colored, and does not seem to be so valuable as that of some of tin 

 North American birches. 



