54 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ July 21, 1870. 



Beldon (Polands). . 2, J. Watts, King's Heath, Birmingham. Selling Class.— 

 3, F. & C. Haworth, Haslingden. 2, W. A. Taylor, Manchester. Ducks — 

 Aylesbury.— 1, E. Leech, Rochdale. Iiouen.— 1, E. Leech. 2, H. B. Smilh, 

 BrooklandB, Broughlon, Preston. Any other Variety. — l.C. W. Brierley. 2, H. 

 B. Smith. Geese (Any variety).— 1 and 2, E. Leech. Turkey. — 1, E. Leech. 

 2, C. W. Brierley. 



PIGEONS. 

 Carriers.— 1 and 2, E. Horner, Harewood. Tumblers.— 1 and 2, J. Fielding, 

 jun., Rochdale. Barbs. — 1, J. Fielding, jun. 2, E.Horner. Owls. — 1, J. Field- 

 ing, jun. 2, J. Hawley, Bingley. Pocters or Croppers.— 1, E. Horner. 2; J. 

 Hawlev. Fantails— 1, E. Horner. 2, H. Yardley, Birmingham. Turrits. — 

 1, J. Fielding, jun. 2, H. Yardley. Dragoons.— 1, J. Hawley. 2, J. Watts. 

 Trumpeters.— 1, E. Horner. 2, J. Hawley. Jacobins.— 1 and 2, E. Horner. 

 Antweeps.— 3 and 2, H. Yardley. Ant other Variety.— 1, E. Horner. 2, H. 

 Yardley. 



The Judges were Mr. Fielding, Trentharn, and Mr. Dixon, Bradford. 



OUNDLE EXHIBITION OF POULTRY AND 

 PIGEONS. 



The entries this year both of poultry and Pigeons at the Onndle 

 Show were remarkably good, and the weather proved most favourable, 

 consequently the success of the Show was unniistakeably good. The 

 tent erected for the poultry was large and airy, and the pens supplied 

 by Messrs. Turner, of Sheffield, completed the arrangements in a 

 most satisfactory manner. -- 



One of the best varieties shown were the Grey Dorkings. The Game 

 fowls were mostly very superior birds, but many of them were fast 

 falling into bad condition, moulting having commenced somewhat 

 earlier this season than usual amongst most varieties of poultry. The 

 classes of Cochin fowls were all good, being decidedly the best ever 

 seen at Onndle. A few good pens of Hamburglis were shown, but the 

 entries were few in number. Bantams were not so good as those 

 shown last year at this meeting. Turkeys and Ducks were as fine as 

 could be desired ; but the Geese were not remarkable in any way. 



It is only a rare occurrence that we find a better competition than 

 took place in Pigeons. Each exhibitor showed a collection of three 

 pens, the only restriction being, they must be of three different breeds, 

 and this portion of the Exhibition proved most interesting to those 

 nine persons who competed, not an indifferent pen being on view. 



The silver cup given by Lord Lilford, for the best pen of poultry of 

 any kind exhibited, was won by the first-prize pen of Spanish hens, 

 closely pressed by the first-prize pen of Dorking hens. 



Dorkings.— Hens.—l, J. Longland, Grendon. 2 and 3, R. Wood, 1 Clapton. 

 he. Rev. E. Eai-lrum, Great Berkliamstead. Pullets.— 3, J. Longland. 2, H. 

 Yardley, Birmingham, he, .J. Longland ; J. Watts, Birmingham, c, K. Wood. 

 Cock.—l, 2, and 3, R. Wood. Cockerel.— 1 and 2, H. Yardlev. Game.— How.- 

 3 and 2, H. Lotan, Oundle. 3. J. Stephens, Walsall. Pullets.— 1, Green & Sut- 

 clirTe, Queensbury, Halifax. 2, H- H. Bletsoe, Barnwell. Cock.— 1 and c, S. 

 Deacon, Polchrook Hall. 2, S. W. Smith, Manor House, Titchmarsh. 8, B. Cox, 

 Moulton. Cockerel.— 1 and 2, H. H. Bletsoe. Spanish. — Black. — Sens. — 1 and 

 Cup for best pen in Show, J. F. Dixon, Cotgrave. Nottingham. 2, W. R. Bull, 

 Newport Pagnell. 8, H. F. Cooper, Lichfield Street, Walsall, he. M. E. Col'ing- 

 wood, Peterborough : J. Stephens, Walsa'l ; E. Smith, Rectory, Oundle. Cock. 

 — l^H. F. Cooper. 2, J. Stephens, he, W. Bearpark, Ainderbv Steeple, North- 

 allerton ; Lady G. Gordon, Orto-i Hall. Chickens.— 1, W. R. Bull. 2, Lady G. 

 Gordon. 3, M. E. Collingwood. Cochis-Chmas.— Hens.— 1, J. W. Beasley, 

 Northampton. 2. J. Stephens. 3, P.ev. A. A. Longhurst, Fotheringhav. he, J. 



1. Hilliam, Oundle. c, W. A. Burnell, Winkhurn Hall, Sou'hwell. Cock.—l, W. 

 A. Burnell. 2, J. Stephens. 3, J. A. Beasley. he. H. H. Bletsoe ; H. Yardlev. 

 c, W. F. Checkley, Moulton. Chiclcens.—l, J. Stephens. 2, H. Yardley. 3, Kev. 

 A. A. Longhurst. he, W. F. Checkley. c, H. II. Bletsoe : J. Dove, Moulton ; 

 W. A. Burnell. Brahmas. — 1, J. Watts. 2, T. Rogers, Walsall. Hamburoiis. 

 — Gold and Silver-pencilled.— 1, W. Bearpark. 2, Rev. J. Payne, Highum 

 Ferrers. 3, J. A. W. Underwood, Warraington. Gold and Silver-spangled. — 

 3, W. Bearpark. 2, .1. F. Loveridge, Ne.vark-on-Trent. 3, J. Stephens. Bantams. 

 — Game.— 3, G. Anns, Clapham. 2, T. Rogers, he, H. II. Bletsoe ; S. Deacon, 

 Polebrook Hall; L. Calcott Oundle. Any other Variety— -I, F. Worley, 

 Northampton. 2, J. Beal, Oundle. Any other Variety.— 3, J. N. Beasley. 



2, E. Goodliffe, Conningtou. Selling Class. — 1, S. Deacon. 2, J. Dove, Moul- 

 ton. Geese.— 1, E. Goodliffe. 2, S. Deacon. Ducks.— Aylesbury.— 1, J. Dove. 

 2 and c, S. Deacon, he, E. Goodliffe (2). Rouen. — 3 and 2, R. Wood. Any 

 other Variety. — 3 and 2, E. Goodliffe. c, S. Deacon. Turkeys.— 1, J. Craig, 

 Fotberinghay. 2. M. Itew, Market Overton, Oakham, he, J. A. W. Under- 

 wood; J. N. Beasley. 



Pigeons. — Tlwee Pairs.— 3. H. Yardley. 2, J. Watts, lie, R. F. Trayling, 

 Peterborough ; W. Lepper, Northampton. 



Rabbits.— Lop-cared.— 1, S. W. Fenn, Nassington. Fancy.— 2, J. Clipston, 

 an die. 



Edward Hewitt, Esq., of Sparkbrook, Birmingham, officiated as 

 Judge. 



REPORTS ON RABBITS AT SHOWS. 

 I hate often wondered if better reports on the Rabbit section 

 at shows could not be supplied to " our Journal." I am sure 

 an enlarged and explanatory report of the various points of 

 excellence would be much more satisfactory to the readers 

 generally, and the prize-winners in particular, and not the 

 mere record of prizes as now too frequently seen, and even at 

 times the address of the owner of such prize-winner not fully 

 given. Could not a few words be inserted as to the reason 

 why such specimens received their honours, and some in- 

 formation be given respecting the merits of the whole exhi- 

 bition of Rabbits ? I can assure committees, judges, and all 

 who are offijiRlly connected with such shows, thRt any report, 

 if not too long, will have space given it, and the report would 

 evidence that some interest was taken in, aud nice discrimi- 

 nation brought to bear upon, the merits or defects of the speci- 



mens exhibited. Could we not have the number of entries in 

 the various classes given, and any reason stated why this 

 section of the show was attractive, or otherwise, to exhibitors, 

 and a gentle hint to the " powers that be " as to the remedy, 

 if such be requisite ? I fancy I hear some one say, " But who 

 is to do it?" Why, who so likely as the judge? or, if his 

 duties prevent him, can no competent admirer be found who 

 could devote an hour or two between each show he visits and 

 the reports appearing in print ? We find very intelligent and 

 highly interesting reports from admirers of poultry, Pigeons, 

 and bees. I am sura the hint given will be acted upon and 

 very much appreciated. I promise that each exhibition in my 

 neighbourhood shall have its Ribbits, when exhibited, alluded 

 to if I can possibly find the time to look at them. — Himalayan, 



SWARMING. 



The swarming season is generally the most interesting period 

 of the year to apiarians, but it is impossible to predict the hour 

 or even the day when a first swarm will take its departure. If 

 the stores are nearly exhausted, and unfavourable weather set 

 in, no preparations are made for this event ; or, if preparations 

 have been made, and young queens are coming forward, the 

 expected swarm not unfrequently delays its exit until the 

 eldest royal lady leaves her cell. When this takes place, the 

 old queen is almost sure to fall a victim to the animosity of the 

 young one, unless the latter happens to be an only daughter. 

 The presence of royal sisters in a hive renders a queen that 

 has just escaped from her cell furious, and in her malignant 

 hatred of maturing rivals she will, without compunction, com- 

 mit matricide. I have never seen an old queen, when weather 

 or other circumstances would not permit a swarm to make an 

 exodus, destroy the royal cells or their inmates — her offspring. 

 On a few occasions I have seen a top swarm go off just as the 

 successor to the throne was about to obtain her liberty. The 

 reigning sovereign does not appear to be animated by any 

 hostile feeling towards her daughters, and the reason why she 

 lingers in the hive till any of them are matured, aud falls a 

 sacrifice, is entirely owing to the bees in not sounding a timely 

 note of alarm, and hurrying her away from a habitation that 

 has become dangerous to dwell in, to some more secure place. 



It was in this way I lost my two-year-old wingless matron, 

 which I received from "Apicola" in March last, and which, 

 with her daughter, had conjunctly occupied one of his hives 

 during the whole of last winter. Though this old queen had 

 permitted her daughter to become a mother and divide the 

 throne, jet her own powers, as far as I could judge, were not 

 impaired in the very least. By the end of the first week of 

 June she had peopled her hive to oveifiowing, royal cells were 

 tenanted, and all requisite preparations made for swarming. 

 Unfortunately the weather broke, no food was to be obtained 

 from the flowers, and the stock had but a small store of honey 

 laid up. "With a temperature seldom above 55° or 56° at its 

 maximum point a swarm was scarcely to be looked for; but 

 whilst swarming was delayed time passed on, and the royal 

 cells matured. On June 20th the eldest princess escaped from 

 her cell, and went piping over the combs. I became concerned 

 for the safety of the old wingless monarch, and forthwith 

 opened the hive to search for her. Amid the vast multitude of 

 bees I failed to find her, but every comb was brooded ; some 

 cells contained larvaj not larger than pinheads, and I was satis- 

 fied that I Baw eggs in others. I shut up the hive in the 

 hope that my old favourite might somehow escape destruction ; 

 but in this I was disappointed, for not many hours afterwards 

 she was dragged out dead and thrown overboard, having 

 evidently been stung by her rival, which on the day following 

 led forth a swarm. 



Bus whilst using the common phraseology, and speaking of 

 the queen leading forth a swarm, I beg to state my distinct 

 conviction that queens do not lead out swarms, but are led 

 forth by them. On two occasions, at least, I have witnessed in a 

 glass unicomb hive the proceedings that took place immediately 

 before a first Bwarm made its exodus. From the listlessness. 

 and clustering on the lower edge of the comb observable in the 

 early part of the forenoon, it was not difficult to divine that a 

 migration was contemplated. As Boon as the day brightened 

 up a few bees hurriedly left the hive, and after a short absence 

 returned, we may suppose, with a favourable report; where- 

 upon two or three bees advanced towards the entrance, and 

 began to emit a series of sharp sounds, almost identioal with 

 the shrill notes of distress or auger which bees utter at nightfall 

 as they run out and in at the entrances of their hives when tor- 



