118 farmers' and mechanics' journal. 



an inch and a quarter in diameter. The result was, the apples, 

 peaches and pears were double the size on those branches than on 

 any other part of the trees : in the quinces there was no difference. 

 One peach, the heath, measured, on a ringed limb, in circumfer- 

 ence, 111-4 inches round, and 1 1 3-4 inches round the ends, and 

 weisjhed 15 ounces. The limbs above the ring have grown msich 

 larger than below it. If the ring be made so wide that the bark 

 cannot unite the same season, the branch will perish." 



MANAGEMENT OF BEES. 



It is the common practice to place the hives where the sun has 

 the grealest influence, — such as beneath a south wall, — and to let 

 them remain in the same situation during the winter. For the 

 summer this is all right ; but as the winter approaches, the hives 

 should be placed where the sun never appears. It is not so much 

 the degree of cold that injures the bees as the variations. Under 

 a south wall the sun is sometimes powerful, even in the depth of 

 winter ; thus the bees are roused into action, and are ill prepared 

 to meet the extreme cold of the night. Besides, when lying in a 

 torpid state, which they do during the coldest weather, the bees 

 do not require so much food ; and I am led to believe that the cold 

 is n >t so excessive during the night where the sun has not shone 

 during the day ; but even allowing the reverse, still I think as the 

 degrees of cold are less variable, the north side of a house or wall 

 is the preferable situation during the winter. Nor should the bees 

 be removed into the sun until the trees have so far shot forth their 

 buds that they may find a sufficient repast. 



I think those hints may be useful to those who would wish to be- 

 come practical apiarists. My knowledge of the matter is theoreti- 

 cal ; but I have friends who follow the practice. 



1 am, Sir, your obedient servant, R. H. 



[London Mech. Mag. 



For the Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal. 



Mr. Editor, — As Bacon is an article of domestic manufacture, 

 and when good is generally esteemed, and as most persons have a 

 rule of their own. or I should rather say, none at all ; for the bene- 

 fit of all, I send you one that I have followed several years with en- 

 tire satisfaction, and only request brother Farmers to give it a fair 

 trial. — For eight Hams, take 2 pounds of Salt and 5 ounces of Salt 

 Petre, both finely powdered ; mix the Salts with a pint of Molas- 

 ses ; with this composition rub them thoroughly ; pack ihem close- 

 ly in a tub five or six days ; then take them up ; rub on the re- 

 mainder of the composition, if any be left ; sprinkle them over 

 with fine salt. In repacking, take care to turn them ; — let them 

 lie five or six days ; then cover them with a brine that will bear an 

 egg. Let them lie thus covered a month, and they are fit for 



