196 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[July, 
Bees in this way will not sting, unless provoked at 
first. To save the honey through the hot weather, 
put it in a dry place, and cool, if possible, to pre- 
vent the moth eggs from hatching. Paper or cloth 
may be pasted over the bottom to keep out insects. 
There are now more moths, than at any time be- 
fore during this season, and they will be likely to 
find more convenient places to deposit their eggs. 
There will be some small swarms, some old stocks 
thinned by over-swarming, or queeuless ones that 
will suffer particularly. A little assistance will save 
some of them from ruin. Sweep out all tilth fre- 
quently, and destroy all the worms to be found 
Towards the last of the swarming season, preserve 
a few 6mall swarms ; you will find some queenless 
ones that will need them. But few can comprehend 
how soon a colony will die off, unless there is a 
queen present to keep up the population. A lay- 
ing queen is worth much more to introduce, than a 
brood from which to rear one. In one case bees 
will be hatched in three weeks, in the other it will 
take sis — time enough to have small colonies de- 
stroyed by the moth. When there are no available 
means to raise a colony strong enough to, defend 
itself, it is best to break it up and secure the hon- 
ey and wax in advance of the destruction awaiting 
it. Remember that as the bees get out, the worms 
get i n — in defiance of all patent arrangements to 
the contrary Put some old pieces of comb under 
the swarms, only part full ; the moth will be de- 
ceived, and lay her eggs there, when the worms are 
easily destroyed. Set dishes of sweetened water 
among the hives at night. Many insects besides 
the bee moth will be drowned Those using the 
movable comb hive, will be pleased to learn that a 
principle has been discovered by which all combs 
will be built straight. Immediately after the bees 
are hived, the back end of the hive is raised about 
30 degrees, having the frames run from front to 
rear, the sides of the hive exactly vertical. When 
the bees have worked their combs across the top, 
it may be let down level. It takes but a moment 
to raise one end of the bottom board on blocks of 
wood, or bricks, and the result is satisfactory. It 
is believed that if these conditions are complied 
with, there will not be a failure All who winter 
bees in the open air, should be made acquainted 
with the importance of straw for the hives. It is 
probably the best available material. It is best be- 
i fore being threshed, and that of wheat or rye is 
nicest. Select it at harvest time ; cut off the heads, 
tie in bundles, and put away until a spare time to 
make into hives. Make the walls of the hive two 
inches in thickness, and of the same proportions 
inside as the movable comb wood hive. At the 
approach of cold weather, the contents of the wood- 
en hive— combs, honey, and bees— are transferred 
into straw, to pass the winter in the best condition. 
The Great Strawberry Exhibition — 
A Monster New Seedling. 
We close up the present number in the middle of the 
great Strawberry Exhibition, and hnve only room for a 
brief account. The previous very dry, hot weather, gave 
too early maturity to some varieties, while the violent 
driving rain on Wednesday afternoon, and rain also 
on Thursday morning, interfered with picking. Tiie in- 
vasion of Pennsylvania prevented the expected large 
exhibition from Pittsburg and vicinity. Yet with all these 
drawbacks, the display was very large, and the samples 
very superior, showing considerable progress and im- 
provement during the year past. It is conceded on all 
hands to be the finest show of the kind ever made in this 
country ; and having ourselves seen the best displays in 
Europe, which were far inferior to this, we are safe in 
saving that the Strawberry Exhibition at the Agriculturist 
office June 18lh, 19lh and 20lh, was the best one ever held 
*uicc this delicious fruit was introduced into cultivation. 
The number of visitors was from 20,000 to 25,000 during 
the three days. 
The show was a great one, not only in the amount of 
fine specimens presented, but especially in the size and 
excellence of the fruit. There were scores of plates of 
fruit, of such size and flavor as would hardly have been 
dreamed of ten years ago. On one plate were fifteen 
berries which, put upon the scales, weighed down a full 
pound avoirdupois ! It takes from 120 to 150 good sam- 
ples of the staple market berries of this city to weigh one 
pound. Triomphe de Gand berries, 22 to the pound, 
were also shown, and several others nearly as huge. 
There were about 200 plates, usually containing one to 
two quarts each, shown by 26 exhibitors. Omitting notice 
of many other excellent and improved seedlings uiftil our 
next number, we will only add, that one of the great cen- 
tres of attraction was the new, unnamed seedling (No. 10) 
shown by Mr. Seth Boyden, of Newark, N. J., the well 
known inventor of the processes of making Malleable 
Iron, patent leather, etc. It is a product of Peabody's 
Seedling with the Green Prolific, the latter produced from 
Kitley's Goliah andHovey's Seedling. It has therefore 
a most excellent pedigree. Its form is nearly conical, 
somewhat necked ; deep scarlet color, extending to the 
core ; solid, and of pleasant pine flavor. The size is enor- 
mous, the average berries exceeding anything ever before 
seen in the strawberry line. Both the plant and berry will 
be described and illustrated hereafter. To save useless 
letters of inquiry to Mr. Boyden (or ourselves), we will 
state, that no speculation will be allowed with this new 
and remarkable strawberry — no " $5 a dozen when ten 
thousand purchasers are secured." Not a single plant 
is for sale on any terms, but it will be multiplied as 
rapidly as possible, and next year the plants that can 
be produced in the meantime, will be given aivay as a do- 
nation to the public. Previous to the announcement of 
the time and manner of distribution, no applications for 
plants will be answered by Mr. Boyden or others. 
PRIZES AWARDED. 
Best 25 varieties, one quart each, $7, to Wm. F. Heins, 
Morrisania, N. Y. 
Second do., $5, A. S. Fuller, Brooklyn, N. Y.. 
Best Dish Market Berries (2 qts), $3, to L. M. Pease, 
N. Y. Farm School, Mt. Vernon, for Triomphe de Gand. 
Second do., $2., to S. R. Trembley, Bergen Point, N. 
J., for Union variety. 
Third do., SI. to L. M. Pease, for Wilson's Albany. 
Largest Berries (weight and size considered,) $2, to 
Seth Boyden, Newark, N. J., for the New Seedling. 
Best New Seedling, not before exhibited, $5, to Seth 
Boyden, Newark, N. J., for his unnamed, No. 10., the 
New Seedling. 
Second do., $2, to J. W. Faulkner, Stamford, Ct. 
Best flavored Strawberry, (1 quart,) $2, to A. S. Ful- 
ler, Brooklyn, unnamed Seedling No. 8. 
Best Quart White Strawberries, $2, to Jno. Drummond, 
Gardener to Mrs. Jas Strong, Newtown, L.I., Bic-lon Pine. 
Best Pint of Empress Eugenie, $1, to E.Marshall, 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 
Best Quart Fillmore, $1, to E. Williams, Mt. Clair, N.J. 
Best Quart of Cutter's Seedling, $1, to E. Marshall, 
Poughkeepsie. 
Best Quart of Triomphe de Gand, $1, to F. W. Devoe, 
Fordham, N. Y. 
Best Quart Wilson's Albany, $1, to L. M. Pease, Mt. 
Vernon, N. Y. 
Best Quart of Hooker's Seedling, $1, to Francis Brill, 
Newark, N. J. 
Best Quart Hovey's Seedling, $1, to E. Williams, 
Mt. Clair, N. J. 
Best Quart of Jenny Lind, $1 to John Drummond, 
Gardener to Mrs. Strong, Newtown, L. I. 
Best Quart Vicomptesse Hericart deTliury, $1, to H. 
C. Fuller, Godwinville, JV. J. 
Great American exhibition of 
Puuipkins, Squashes, and 
Ornamental Gourds. 
The Second Annual Exhibition of Pump- 
kins, Squashes, and Ornamental Gourds, at the 
office of the American Agriculturist, 41 Park Row, New 
York City, opening on Wednesday, Nov. 4th ? 1863 9 
at which the following Prizes will he paid by the Publish- 
er, upon lire official award of competent Committees. 
CASH PREMIUMS, 
A— For the Heaviest Pumpkin or Squash $10. OO 
B— For the 2nd Heaviest Pumpkin or Squash. .. 5.00 
C— For the 3d Heaviest Pumpkin or Squash 3.00 
D— For the Best Pumpkin or Squash for cooking. 5.00 
E — For 2nd Best Pumpkin or Squash for cookmg 3.00 
F — P'or the largest yield on a single Vine * 10.00 
G— For the 2nd largest yield on n. single Vine...* 5.00 
II— For the largest and finest collection of Fan- f - 00 
cy or Ornamental Gourds* j ' ,uu 
I— For the 2nd largest and finest collection ) . « ft 
of Fancy or Ornamental Gourds* t ■*•*■" 
♦All to be grown by one person and to be accompanied 
by positive evidence from the grower, and one disinterest- 
ed person who assists in gathering the specimens. 
Notel.— The specimens receiving the Prizes will re- 
main on Public Exhibition at the pleasure of the Publish- 
er who offers the prizes. The other specimens will be 
subject to the order of the exhibitors, or they will be 
sold at auction or otherwise disposed of, for their benefit. 
Notei.— All Exhibitors must notify us of their intentions 
by Oct. 15th. and deliver specimens for competition on or 
before Nov. 2d. Specimens to be delivered free of charge. 
Note 3.— The same specimen can compete for only one 
of the premiums offered above. 
Containing a great variety of Items, including many 
good Hints and Suggestions which we give here in smalt 
type and condensed form, for want of space elsewhtrc. 
Editor Al>sent.— The Juiie and July num- 
bers of the Agriculturist are issued without the direct as- 
sistance and supervision of Mr. Judd, who is making his 
usual Summer tour to observe and study the general farm- 
ing operations of the country. This year he will happen, 
often unawares, or incognito, among some of our readers 
at the West, especially in the Prairie States.— We trust 
the "matter and manner" of these two numbers will, in 
part at least, show a realization of the Proprietor's idea, 
viz.: to have a sufficient force to carry on the journal in 
full vigor, even should sickness or death, or other causes 
chance to deprive it of one or more of its leading editors. 
The Agriculturist has come to be an "institution" not 
dependent upon the life or efforts of any single man. 
Personal letters, may for the time being, remain unan- 
swered. All business matters connected with the paper 
will be promptly attended to. We hope to exhibit to the 
Proprietor on his return, a large increase in the subscrip- 
tion lists. The premiums offered are worth working for. 
Associate Editors. 
The Premiums Close July St.— 
That there may be no disappointment, we repeat that all 
premiums of every kind, general and special, will close 
on- July 31, excepting only the new Barometer Premium, 
and the Wringing Machine No. 2 ; these will continue 
open to August 31. For special Premiums see page 224. 
For general Premiums see page 155, June No. It is not 
probable that we shall offer any premiums in future. 
The Strawberry and Grape Pre- 
miums are continued this month, and now is the only 
time to secure them. See page 224. A clergyman, in 
Illinois, writes us that the 25 plants received last year for 
two subscribers, multiplied so that he gave away several 
lots of 50 plants to his friends, and had more to give away 
in the same manner, besides a plot as large as lie wanted 
for fruit for his own family. From what we hear, we 
judge there are millions of improved strawberry plants 
growing in the country, which sprung from the forty thou- 
sand plants sent from the Agriculturist Office last year. 
Crlticisers of Advertisements will 
please read last article on page 1GS of June Agriculturist. 
They need not read the Tribune and Herald advertise- 
ments last month and this. 
Farm House Plans. — E. T. Benedict, 
Cuyahoga Co., O. Wc hope ere long to give plans for a 
commodious and economical farm dwelling ; meantime 
we invite subscribers to forward designs for such build- 
ings, suitable for the accommodation of a family of eight 
or ten persons, the cost not to exceed two thousand dol- 
lars, and, as much less as practicable. Especial atten- 
tion should be given to make the rooms convenient for 
doing the housework. 
Sorgho Mills and Boilers. — To sever- 
al inquirers. We can not answer all the questions sent 
in. The "Clark Sorgo Machine Company " of Cincin- 
nati, make good Mills, and Blymyers, Bates & Day, of 
Mansfield, O., make the Cook's Evaporator, which, from 
all accounts, seems to be the favorite boiler. The ad- 
vertisements of both these parties may be found on anotlv- 
er page, and by addressing them, much of the information 
required can be readily obtained. 
Crood S3cm» Brake. — E. D. Gaines, Grant 
Co., Ky. The newly invented brake of Ma] lory & San- 
ford, advertised in this number, breaks hemp even more 
perfectly than flax. The fibre comes out entirely free firoin 
woody matter, and without any waste from tow. It can 
be worked by any ordinary horse power machine. 
JBarren Grape Vines. — C. J. Hollings- 
worth, Herkimer Co., N. Y. If the fruit sets on the vine 
after blossoming and fails to come to perfection, the diffi- 
culty may be in improper location, poor soil, or wanl of 
proper pruning. If, however, the blossoms do not develop 
into fruit, it is undoubtedly owing to a radical defect in 
the blossoms themselves, probably to the absence of 
stamens with which to fertilize the pistils. Such plants, 
called pistillates, are quite common. Several kinds of 
strawberries have only one set of organs. The only way 
to secure fruit from such, is to supply them with pollen 
from other plants having the reproducing organs com 
plete. It is usually done by planting staininate varieties 
near the barren sorts ; the pollen is carried to the plant 
lacking it, by the wind and by insects. 
