26 M'Intostis Green-house, Hot-house, and Stove. 



weak, it probably proceeded from the very young queen, who, 

 as I conjecture, was afterwards cast out of her cell. 



As this calling by the queens is a sure forerunner of a swarm, 

 it may be asked why it is not heard before the first swarm. The 

 only answer I can give is, that probably the old queen quits the 

 hive with the earliest swarm, leaving the young queens in a larva 

 state, who are not able to call till eight or ten days afterwards. 



I shall be gratified if the above remarks on a very curious fact 

 relating to bees should induce others of your readers to pursue 

 the interesting investigation, so that we may arrive at satisfac- 

 tory proof that this calling proceeds from the queens, previously 

 to quitting their cells. — Cossey Hall Gardens, August 16. 1838. 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. The Green-house, Hot-house, and Stove ; including select 

 Lists of the most beautifid Species of exotic Flowering Plants, and 

 Directions for their Cultivation. By Charles M'Intosh, F.H.S., 

 Gardener to His Majesty the King of the Belgians, and Author of 

 the " Practical Gardener," &c. 12mo, pp.415. Numerous wood- 

 cuts, and 16 coloured plates. London, 1838. 



One reason given for the production of this work is, " that 

 we have no modern treatise especially devoted to the manage- 

 ment of the green-house;" the author having forgotten, or not 

 having seen or heard of, The Green-house Companion, an 8vo 

 volume, of which a new edition has recently appeared. How- 

 ever, no apology is ever necessary for the production of a good 

 and useful book, which we can, without hesitation, affirm this to 

 be. It is also rendered highly ornamental by the introduction 

 of eighteen groups of exotic flowers, printed in colours, according 

 to the new process of Mr. Baxter ; which, though not very ac- 

 curate in a botanical point of view, are yet sufficiently so to be 

 recognised for what they are meant to represent, and which form 

 very conspicuous ornaments to the book. The arrangement of 

 the work is as follows : — 



Introduction, in which a slight sketch is given of the progress 

 of the cultivation of exotics ; from Seneca and Martial, who are 

 said to have understood both retarding and forcing, to the Dukes 

 of Devonshire, Northumberland, and Bedford, who deserve 

 " honourable mention" for maintaining their gardens with 

 princely liberality. Green-houses in general are noticed, and 

 the following iuclicious observations will merit the attention both 

 of the professional gardener and the amateur : — 



" As to cultivating a general collection of plants in the same house, although 

 very generally attempted, it is by no means to be recommended. The treat- 

 ment of different families of plants varies so much at certain seasons, that 

 the best cultivators have found, from that sure test, experience, that it is 

 better to appropriate separate houses to such families as nearly agree in cul- 

 ture and habit. 



