1843.] 
THE GARDENERS 
CHRONICLE. 53 
which I observed them carry into the hive, I judged about 
the end of August that it must be nearly full ; especially 
as the Bees, even in very fine weather, clustered at the 
entrance, and did not appear to proceed to the fields in 
such numbers as they had hitherto done. In order to 
afford them more room, I made a box 10 inches square, 
Outside, of wood, 1 inch in thickness. At the bottom of 
the front side, I cut a hole 2§ inches long, by 4-inch in 
depth, exactly similar in dimensions to the entrance to 
the straw hive. In the side of the straw hive I cut a hole 
23 inches long, by 1 inch in depth, and having made a tube 
of zine, for the sake of neatness, I fixed it to the box, and 
joined the straw hive and box together; the zinc enter- 
ing about half an inch beyond the straw of the hive. 
T left the hole in front of the side box open; and the 
Bees on the following day recommenced operations with 
all their former activity ; thousands departing through the 
medium or outlet of the box, but all entering the straw 
hive on their return laden with their floral treasures. In 
the evening, from curiosity, I separated the side box, and 
to my astonishment, several of the Bees came along with 
it, intent on absorbing with their proboscis the condensed 
Steam from the heat of the hive, which had formed like 
dew-drops on the zinc. It occurred to me, that this 
liquid might prove injurious to the Bees, and I therefore 
1 diately made a ication of wood to join the 
box to the straw hive. I am now glad that I did so ; as 
T feel convinced that the white powder, in appearance like 
arsenic, which always forms on zinc, after it has been wetted 
even with the purest rain-water, is of a poisonous nature, 
and is the principal cause of the destruction of Bees hived 
Within wooden boxes, or in straw hives, when they are fed 
from zinc troughs, or have their entrances contracted by 
the same metal. 
When the weather became frosty in the early part of 
November, being desirous that every care should be taken 
Of my Bees, I closed the aperture in the side box, which 
I had found of great use in warm weather, as, on all occa- 
Sons, it proved an effectual safety-valve. I at the same 
time covered the entrance of the straw hive with a piece 
Of perforated zinc; but in a few minutes afterwards the 
ees became unsettled and crowded to the entrance, evi- 
dently oppressed by the alteration I had made, and ap- 
Pearing to absorb the condensed air on the zinc, which 
induced me to remove it altogether. Shortly afterwards, 
T attempted to contract the entrance by inserting a piece 
©f wood one inch long by half an inch thick, leaving about 
one and a half inch open. The wood had not been applied 
Many minutes when two of the Bees came and examined 
Mt, with the object of removing it, as they fixed their hind 
legs to it and pulled with all their strength ; but failing in 
their endeavours, they, with several others which subse- 
quently joined them, ran about the entrance and appeared 
‘0 be very uneasy. As I could not bear to see them un- 
Comfortable, I withdrew the piece of wood, upon which 
two of them immediately occupied the position where it 
had been placed, and continued fanning for nearly ten 
Minutes, as if it had been the warmest day in June. 
This satisfied me it would be best to let the Bees take 
their natural course, as my contracting the entrance would 
Only create foul air_and cause their destruction. In this 
T have not been disappointed, as up to Dec. 26 I only 
witnessed three dead Bees from my hive, there being no 
drones to kill. Two of the Bees must have been strangers 
or unruly members of the community, as they were 
brought out of the hive by other Bees, assisted by one on 
each side as guards, thrown down in front of the hive and 
Stung to death; the executioners returning to the hive 
Immediately afterwards with apparently as great satisfac- 
lon as if a praiseworthy action had been performed. 
These deaths occurred in August; but the third took 
Place towards the end of December, as I found the body 
of the Bee in the side box lying near the body of an ear- 
Wig ; both having evidently been killed by stinging, as the 
Bee appeared quite glazed and free from disease ; it is, 
therefore, probable that it had been fighting, 
J almost every day examine the bottom of the straw- 
hive, which I can easily do by the aid of a lighted candle 
held in front of the entrance. It is remarkably clean, 
Only a few crumbs of wax about the size of pins’ heads 
gabeating on it. I consider this to be the covering which 
‘alls from the combs on their being opened to supply the 
Winter stores, which appear amply sufficient for their sub- 
Sistence ; although the hive is very crowded, being, as 
Nearly as I can guess, from 40 to 50 Ibs. in weight. My 
Rates appear in excellent health; on tapping at the en- 
Tance, they come to ascertain the cause of the noise ; and 
By the 13th, 14th, and 15th Dec., when the wind blew 
aut and warm from the S.W., they left the hive in such 
panbers that I was obliged to open the hole in the side- 
tee during the time the sun was near the meridian, It 
Techy. of remark that many of them came home as 
a with pollen as would bave been the case in May; 
e on these days they carried out of the hive every crumb 
1h Wax which had previously fallen, leaving the bottom 
Sard as clean as if it had been scoured. 
hi Tom the observations which I have made, I am of opi- 
theg that Bees will thrive best if left to their own natural 
alt, ‘nct. It is bad policy to lift the hive from the board, 
fill. the season is past when they can collect propolis to 
bel, 4p the parts which they wish to close, to prevent their 
meee injured by contrary currents in the hive in incle- 
mae Weather 3 as it is impossible to replace it in the 
Not © position in which they,had secured it, and they can- 
go abroad to procure the material to remedy the evil, 
but Te apiarians recommend the use of tobacco-smoke, 
effect question if the Bees ever recover fully from the 
ive fe of being fumigated. I have constructed a Bee. 
injuric, obviate any necessity for, in the slightest degree, 
“ing these useful and truly valuable insects. It com- 
bines the advantage possessed by the common cottage straw 
hives, as a winter residence, with that of boxes of wood at- 
tached to work any quantity of honey, or to separate stocks, 
without allowing them to swarm, or to join stocks on the 
approach of winter, or to make experiments of any kind 
with the Bees, as the boxes have windows to permit a full 
view of all their operations. I send you a sketch to show 
that it has a pleasing appearance, and that it requires no 
other protection whatever. Considerable taste might be 
displayed in making hives in which all these advantages 
are combined ; although in the present I have studied 
economy in order to satisfy myself that they can be made 
at a moderate price, so as to be within the reach of all 
classes; and I shall be happy to show it to the “ Despairing 
Bee-keeper,” or any other respectable reader of the Gar- 
deners’ Chronicle, shpuld they pay me a visit. 
The boxes are made of wood one inch in thickness ; 
and as your “ Despairing Bee-keeper” has stated that 
Bees kept in boxes generally die during the winter, I have 
lined the inside of my boxes with India matting, similar 
in texture to the straw hives. The interiors remind me 
ofthe tapestried halls of our ancestors, and must prove a 
luxury to the Bees. The dotted lines in the plan of the 
base show the thickness of the wood, and that there are 
pillars supporting a portico extending three inches, 
and the roof six inches over the straw portion of the hive, 
to protect it from rain and the meridian summer sun. 
The whole roof lifts off at once with the greatest ease, 
and is so constructed that bell-glasses could be worked 
on the head of the straw hive, or on either of the boxes.— 
John Grant, Editor of the “ Army and Navy Register,” 
Woolwich. 
AMATEUR’S GARDEN.—No. IV. 
As some readers may have dung sufficiently fer- 
mented to be made into a bed for the growth of the-Cu- 
cumber, I will offer a few remarks on the most simple 
method of managing it. Presuming that a common frame 
is to be employed, the first thing will be to excavate 
the ground where the bed is to be formed, to the depth of 
3 feet, and 4 feet wider and longer than the frame 
to be used. In the centre place a layer of faggots or 
waste wood, 2 feet thick, of the size of the frame, and upon 
this foundation lay the fermented dung; taking care to 
make the mass firm as you proceed, until the bed is 4 feet 
high in front, and 44 feet at the back. If the dung is not 
well fermented or dry, it will be advisable to sprinkle it 
with tepid water as you proceed. The bed being formed, 
the frame must be placed upon it, and as soon as the 
mass begins to heat, the dung inside the frame should be 
forked over twice or thrice a week until it is quite sweet ; 
that is, until the steam evolved is inoffensive to the smell. 
At that time the frame must be lifted off, and the dung 
from the centre of the bed formed into a wall 6 or 8 in. 
wide all round the sides of the bed. On this wall place 
some boards 6 in. wide, so that their outer edge will be 
even with the outside of the frame, and then plaster the 
inside all round with mortar or tempered clay, which will 
prevent the entrance of steam, and deprive the woodlice 
of a favourite retreat. Should the dung be very hot, some 
strong pieces of wood may be placed across the bed, with 
some boards and thin turf above them, on which the soil 
for the plants must be put. A hot-air chamber is thus 
formed between the dung and the soil, by whichevery part 
of the latter is at all times equally heated, and all risk of 
burning the roots is removed. The heat from this air- 
chamber may also be brought in to warm the atmosphere 
of the frame in a case of emergency. 
It is of little importance what kind of soil is used, so 
that it is not of an adhesive nature. Peat-earth is good, 
because it is porous, and its poorness is remedied on dung- 
beds by the carbonic acid and ammoniacal gas which pass 
through and enrich it from the fermenting dung; but I 
have found sandy turfy loam and leaf-mould in about 
equal quantities, used in a rough state, superior to it. 
The soil should be placed in a narrow ridge along the 
back of the frame, but not so as to rest against the wood- 
work; in this position it gets rather more sun, and the 
young plants have the advantage of the light reflected from 
the back of the frame. 
In planting, place two plants under each sash and 
within eight inches of the glass ; pinch the top from one 
of them as soon as it has made three rough leaves ; train 
the laterals along the back of the frame, and stop them 
above every leaf until they show fruit. These plants 
will produce a few early fruit ; but the others, which are 
to be trained towards the front, must not be allowed to 
bear fruit until they have acquired strength, as they must 
be depended upon for the main supply. 
Tt is not necessary that the temperature of the frame 
should exceed 65° with air by night, but by day with sun 
and air it should range from 70° to 85° or 90°. Sprinkle 
the plants about 2 o’clock in the afternoon of every sunny 
day with tepid water, and shut the sashes close down ; but 
give a little air at the time the frame is covered up for 
the night. Unless the weather is very bright, water at the 
root will not be required more than once a week, until 
the middle of March; but after that time the plants 
will stand in need of it more frequently. Keep the tem- 
perature steady at 65°, by occasionally turning or renew- 
ing the linings; do not allow the bed to become crowded 
with useless vine; keep the glass clean, and success 
is certain. 
For early use, there is no Cucumber equal to the old 
Southgate for a frame ; next to that, the Syon House and 
Roman Emperor are the best. If, however, long fruit is 
wanted, Young’s Champion and Dreadnought, two white- 
spined varieties, may be procured ; which, in addition to 
producing fruit of extraordinary length, are of a hardy 
constitution, and bear profusely. In my opinion, the 
white-spined varieties are invariably superior to the black 
kinds, both in precocity, prolificacy, and hardihood.— 
W. P. Ayres. 
HOME CORRESPONDENCE. 
Affghan Piants.—The nearest wooded part of the Su- 
faid Koh (%. e., White Mountain) to Cabul is Taizeen. 
The forests of the Sufaid Koh consist of various kinds of 
Fir, among which the Deodar is abundant ; the Cheel, or 
Pinus longifolia, is also believed to occur, as well as the 
Chilghozeh, which, from the abundance of the seeds ex- 
posed for sale, must becommon. These appear exactly to 
resemble those of the Pinus Gerardiana, a native of 
Kunawur, on the northern face of the Himalaya Moun- 
tains. These forests likewise contain the Baloot, a species 
of Oak; the Zaitoon, a species of Olive; the Schnee, one 
of the most celebrated plants in the country for its aro- 
matic and stimulant properties, and which may perhaps 
be a species of Balsamodendron. ‘This seems especially in 
the Kojuck range. The only forests with which Mr, 
Griffiths expresses himself acquainted are those about 
Olipone, in which direction the mountains assume the 
Himalayan features. The principal trees of these moun- 
tains are the Deodar, or Nokhtur; the Zaitoon, and the 
Baloot. There is, perhaps, another species of Oak; but, 
so far asknown to ‘Mr. G., no other Fir-tree. On the 
Kafir Mountains other forest-trees occur, as the Horse- 
Chesnut, and a beautiful Abies or Spruce Fir, apparently 
allied to the Morinda or Khutrow of the Himalayas. Aft 
Sabul, the demand for timber is supplied almost exclu-~ 
sively by the Poplars. The great majority of the culti- 
vated trees are fruit-trees; and the bulk of the vegetable 
fuel is supplied by the low bushes, chiefly species of Arte- 
misia. From Taizeen, supplies of Baloot .branches are 
brought to Cabul, as well as a good deal of charcoal pre- 
pared from it and the Deodar. The transition from the 
absolute barrenness of the Hindoo Khoosh to the finely- 
appear almost sudden, both Firs and the Zaitoon ceasing: 
abruptly; the Baloot only straggling as far as Jugdalluck, 
about which it isa stunted tree, very much like @ Holly. 
This, no doubt, is the prickly Hollyoak, 
stockades were made by the Affghans in the Cabul Passes ; 
but as Mr. Griffiths has not given it eo ¢ both 
we are unable to get more precise information. ‘i a ays 
his collection and that of Dr. Falconer, no doubt, con i 
specimens which will hereafter enable the species to be 
ascertained.—2. * 
Enormities.—People who regard ay tie = 
tranquil, peaceful recreation or id aee tate i SUarue at 
such a heading, and wonder what vy 3 sequel to 
so electrifying an announcement. But the fact is, that, as 
one of the readers of your Chronicle, I beg to thank you 
for staying, by your Jate strictures on monstrosities, the 
present rage for“ horticultural enormities”— enormous 
Celery, enormous Carrots, enormous Cucumbers, and 
enormous Grapes. Any production now, to be orthodox, 
must be in its way enormous. It generally happens, 
however, that flavour 1s herein sacrificed to appearance, 
and I must think, and do find, that Celery grown in well- 
digested compost to a moderate size, is far superior to 
heads big enough for neat stock to graze on. Carrots 
should rather be remarkable for saccharine and tender 
substance, than for making two in a dish a full comple- 
ment for dinner. Cucumbers grown on a single stem 
against a south wall in summer are crisper and more sub- 
saccharine than others, and should be, in my opinion, of 
the black and white spine old-fashioned sort, just as you 
describe them. These will be relished by the cognoscenti 
in gastronomy far beyond the Patagonian monsters of the 
present day. As for Grapes, if they are produced out of 
