JOURNAL OF HOKTICULTITRE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEK. 



[ January 17, 1865. 



assume d priori that these cui-ious phenomena do originate 

 from one and the same cause P I could not from collating 

 the mass of materials regarding these in my possession 

 come to such a conclusion, and therefore I have attempted to 

 evolve such a theory upon the subject that while it in some 

 measure satisfies my own mind, I yet submit with the 

 greatest diffidence in the pages of this Journal, inasmuch as 

 I find from extracts from the writings of Herr Eothe, Herr 

 Wallbrecht, the celebrated Dzierzon, and other German 

 authorities, that the subject is not unknown in that land of 

 philosophical research of myths, mysteries, and metaphysics, 

 but is viewed as one of the greatest enigmas in apiarian 

 science. This I must reserve, however, for a subsequent 

 communication. — J. Lowe. 



(To be continued.) 



EEGICIDE AMONG BEES. 



I HATE just read with pleasure the contributions of our 

 two scientific friends, the Devonshii-e and the Renfrewshire 

 Bee-keepers. I can indeed indorse the statement of the 

 former in reference to the regicide *he refers to. I had one 

 good stock which swarmed on the 7th of May, and on 

 Qie 24th sent forth a large second swarm, just seventeen 

 days after the first. After this last was hived and settled, 

 I observed the old stock, and on the gi-ound, near it, I found 

 a cluster of bees shamefully treating a beautiful large queen. 

 I was surprised with what tamcness she took their insults. 

 I liberated her, and fearing it might be the queen of the 

 stock which had just issued, I put her on the alighting- 

 board, and she walked in. Next morning I found her dead 

 on the ground. 



Some time after liberating the queen referred to, I again 

 noticed the old stock, and was exceedingly annoyed at 

 finding another queen barbarously treated by the bees. I 

 had hardly patience with them ; but, thinking she was a 

 supernumerary, I released her also, and put her on the 

 alighting-board of another stock which I knew to be queen- 

 less. She was so weak and feeble, and lame in the hind 

 legs, from the bad treatment she had met with, that she 

 could hardly walk in, and never did any good. I carefully 

 observed the stock from which these queens had been so 

 shamefully expelled. The bees never seemed contented — 

 never worked — would run up and dow-n the hive in a stream, 

 apparently in agitation, as if searching for something. Some 

 tune afterwards I examined this stock, and was annoyed at 

 finding neither eggs, larvs, nor queen in it. I then out a 

 nice piece of comb, full of brood in all stages, from another 

 hive, and inserted it in this. In two days I observed a 

 marked difference in the conduct of the bees, and found 

 four or five royal cells in progress, three of which were 

 ultimately sealed and opened in the usual way ; buc weeks 

 afterwards, on again examining the hive, I found it queen- 

 less. I believed these rebels had destroyed these princesses, 

 as they had attempted to do the former ones. I ti-ied them 

 with another bit of comb, but they refused to raise any 

 more queens. In the autumn they fraternised with another 

 stock, and began removing their stores, and continued to 

 do so until the cold weather put an end to their mischief. 



Will our kind friend, the " Eenfkewshire Bee-keeper," 

 tell us the best way of securing tho object mentioned in 

 his addendum ? It is, in my opinion, the great desideratum 

 of bee-keeping. A full account from his pen would oblige 

 us all. — Edwabd Fairbeothee. 



. EAIS'CIDITY IN 13UTTEE. 



I BSITD a pound of Vjutter, in tho hope of receiving some 

 information as to tho cause, or a remedy foi-, the acrid, pun- 

 gent taste which yon will find to exist in it. 



The butter is fresh, the dairy and utensils scrnpulonsly 

 clean and well-cared for ; the cows are out during the day, 

 and fed at night with braised oats and hay. 



We have observed this peculiar taste at different times 

 during the last five years — generally strongest in autumn ; 

 bnt last spring it was peculiarly strong. After two or three 

 days tho butter is unfit for any purpose, and salting only 

 malces it worse. 



I have hitherto believed that it was caused by some herb 



or grass ; but there is so little pasture now, and the cows so 

 nearly dependant on ai'tificial food (hay and bruised oats) 

 that 1 cannot attribute it to the grass. — Cochin. 



[We never tasted butter more rancid than the specimen 

 sent by our correspondent. AVe can only suggest that the 

 cream is kept too long before it is chm-ned. We shall be 

 obliged by any information on the subject.] 



OTJE LETTEE BOX. 



CovENTRT Snow {J. 71'. r.).— As this Show was In no way made public, 

 and ie now lonp past, it is needless to criticise what tho committee consi- 

 dered not of sufficient iuiportanco to be made known, 



Batu and ^YI:sT or England Society's Poultbt Show.— This will be 

 at Herciord in the June of this year. The prizes are very liberal, and cups 

 are given as additional rewards, as well as sweepstakes. Prize lists, &o., 

 may be had of Mr. Pitman. 



Hatchino Tkmperatuee (A. W. Jf.).— 105° o£ Fahrenheit's thermometer 

 is the heat for huteliinfj hens* eirgs. How is it possible f'lr us to say whether 

 eEg« from a farm-yard will hatch, when we knownothing whatever about 

 the yard or its management? 



WniTKHAVKN and Wkst CUMBERLAND SHOW, — " Jas. "Wood," Dot *'Ja8, 

 Vood," won the first prize for Cochln-Chinas. 



SpANisu Hen Rose-comded (7^/ro).— There can bo no purity in Spanish 

 where a rose-comb appears. It tho peccant bird is akin to those that 

 appear pure, wo should be nervous about the produce. 



Prouuciko Bantams tC. 5. ./.).— Having made up your mind what breed 

 you wish to introduce into the Bantam elavses, choose the smallest male you 

 can find haviin? the attributes of the breed most strongly developed : put 

 him to a large Bmtam hen approaching as nearly as pushible to hnnself n 

 thapo and colour, and guiltless of puints that would disqualify tho progeny 

 in the father's class. If your space permit, and you are willing lo take tho 

 trouble, reverse the above, laUe the smallest hen of the breed you wish to 

 make, and the largest Bantam cock of proper colour, &e. The next year 

 yon will have to choose your smallest birds, but those mo-*t promising in 

 points and character, and you must put them together. You will aUo put 

 the. original father with his daughters, and mother with her sens. This will 

 (live yen pucli birds that by judicious selection for breeding you will have a 

 breed. All such require re-pairing and stren^theningnow and then. There 

 were three pens of beautiful Coctiin Bantams at Birininghim. 



Cock's Comb Tdrned Black iH. F. J/.).— Cocks' combs turn black frnm 

 being cLilled, from sickness, and from poison. There has been no weather 

 severe enough to cause the first. The second may arise froat over-feeding 

 or improper food. In the Hrst case, the food often remains in the crop. 

 Warm water should be poured down the throat frequently, and no more 

 fuod given till the crop is empty. This should be lollon'ed by a dose of 

 castor oil ; then soft food should be frequently given in smalt quantities 

 till the comb is red and the bird cheerful. In case of sickness, castor oil is 

 still the best remedy, a table^pouuful is a dose. When the comb becomes 

 quite black, it is sometimes necessary to resort to bleeding. A small 

 incision should be made, or the tip of one point cut ofT, but in either cas3 

 care must be token not lo disfigure tho bird. 



DouiiiNo He.v with Cheeks Swollen (K. Ji.). — Foment with warm 

 water. Give a table-spoonlul of castor oil, follow by two pills of camphor, 

 and feed on bread and ale. Seven or eight Dorking hens and oiio or two 

 cocks. As many Coehius and Brahmas as you like. 

 "F. C."— Next week. 



Koup (X.).— Sixty hens are a great number for two acres, more tlriu the 

 land will profitably carry If they are Dorkings, especially it the chickens have 

 to be reared on the sanic ground. Ii is quite true that it becomes tainted, but 

 we think not to the extent people fancy. There can be no doubt that fresh 

 ground is very beneficial to chickens as regards growth : nd con-*tiuition. 

 It is often the case that a piece of grass handy in situation can be hired for 

 a small sum after the hay has been carried. This is good for chickans. 

 They shinld not leave the hens till they are six weeks old in summer, and 

 if earlier the hen may be kept under the rip till she lay again. Scatter the 

 chickens over the ground us much as possible. Kill any very bad cases of 

 roui). Feed well on bread and ale. Put lumps of camphor in all tho diink- 

 inp-vessels that are in use, and see that the houses are clean. Leave doore 

 and windows open all day. 



Jars j-or Pbkservino Eogs lAit Aviaicur^ Old Suhscribcf, ami Others), 

 —Mr. Geyelin's agent, Mr. J. Melville, '2ll, Glaskiu Road, Souih Hackney, 

 London, will undertake to snpjily the patent air-tight jais for preserving 

 cgKs, as the manufacturers will only sell to the trade. Pi ices must depend 

 on the size of the jars. The carriage to Laiieashiro per rail 1^ about 'Is. per 

 cwt. The artificial vermin nursery will bo fully described hereafter. 



CoYEulNo roa Bke-iiives.— A gentleman from Wandsworth writing in 

 these pages a few weeks since gave a description of a covering for bee- 

 hives. My cmplo'ypr would esteem it a favour if 1 could bo permitted to 

 sec these cnverings, so that I may get some manufactured on the same 

 principle. — The Gardekeu, Sidncij Lodnc, Jl'intblcdon. 



LONDON MAEKETS.— January 10. 

 POTTLTRY. 



ChriatmaH iirtd Now Ycar'w dujs arc pusneil, our cnuntry scndorx huve 

 done lioliday-kcopinR, mid n moderute but roKuliir supply Iiu'* ft^iiln bcpun 

 in poultry. Pbctisanln .n-c sUll fur in cxccHwof the (lonnind. Wc luivc never 

 in our cxpcricncu soon hu iimuy in one Buauon. Tbo mild winrcr should 

 mnki' early poultry pbmtiful, -Awt wo bopo wc may loolt foiw.ird to it proa- 

 peroufl ycur for buyctfl and fcUors. 





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