1873.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
±4=7 
I>r. Coues* Key to North American 
Birds.— The full title of this work, which is descrip- 
tive of its contents, reads : "Key to North American 
Birds ; containing a concise account of every species of 
Jiving and fossil bird at present known, from the con- 
tinent north of the Mexican and United States boundary. 
Illustrated by 6 steel pUtes, and upwards of 250 wood- 
cnts. By Elliot Cones, Assistant Surgeon, United States 
Army. Salem Naturalists' Agency." Dr. Coues is well 
known as one of our most industrious and trustworthy 
naturalists, and he has given what has long been needed, 
a systematic account of our birds in accordance with the 
present state of the science. It is a handsome 4to 
volume of 361 pages, on heavy paper, and in excellent 
mechanical appearance generally. The first 67 pages are 
devoted to a discussion of the anatomy of birds and 
similar matters, while the remainder is occupied with 
brief descriptions of classes, order, genera, and species ; 
and abundantly illustrated, especially with drawings of 
those parts necessary for the identification of genera and 
species. We are glad to notice that the author has pro- 
vided a very full index— a matter which is too often 
neglected in our works on natural history. Salem is rap- 
idly becoming an important center for the publication and 
distribution of worksupon natural science. This work re- 
flects great credit npon all concerned in its production ; 
and thongh its price ($7) may seem high, it is really 
moderate for a work that has cost so much labor, and for 
which the sale must necessarily be limited. It may be 
ordered from the Naturalists' Agency, or from Orange 
Judd Company. 
For other Basket Matter see page 471. 
Henslofr's Botanical Charts.— 
Wben we saw, many years ago, an imported set of Ilen- 
slow's botanical charts, published under the direction of 
the English educational authorities, we wished that 
something of this kind could be accessible to our teachers 
and students of botany. Messrs. D. Appleton & Co. have 
done a good service by publishing these charts in a 
modified form, as an auxiliary to Miss Eliza Youman's 
school books of botany. The charts are six in number, 
each about 3i feet long by 3 feet wide, and mounted with 
a cloth lining upon rollers, ready for hanging npon the 
wall of the school-room or study. These charts contain 
illustrations of about twenty-five of the piincipal natural 
orders into which plants are grouped ; one or more 
characteristic species in each order being represented 
with magnified dissections, to show the points of struc- 
ture upon which classification is based. In several cases 
where the plants used in the English charts are not to be 
found in this country, American representatives have 
been chosen. Although these charts do not present bo 
many plants as the original edition, the figures are less 
crowded, and are better suited for study »n this account. 
A book describing each object accompanies the charts. 
Aside from the insight that these charts give into the 
Structure of the plants represented, they are of great use 
in teaching the student what to observe. Beginners in 
botany are very apt to overlook minute, yet important 
characters, because they do not know how to observe 
them. By following the dissections shown in these 
charts, and finding the parts in the plants themselves, 
one can soon learn to observe with accuracy. A set of 
these charts would be a mnst acceptable present to any 
school or college where botany is taught. 
See Premium lM>t on page 469. 
Bliss & Sons' Potato Frizes. 
Last spring we mentioned the prizes offered by B. K. 
Bliss & Sons for the largest yield from one pound of 
Early Vermont or Compton's Surprise potatoes. The 
conditions were that the potatoes should be bought of 
them, treated with ordinary farm culture, and that the 
results should be accompanied with full particulars and 
sworn to. Five hundred dollars were offered in prizes of 
$100, $75, $50, and $25, for the first, second, third, and 
fourth heaviest yield of each of the two varieties. The 
number of competitors was very large, and we can at 
present only give the names of the successful ones. 
Earlt Vermont. 
1st Prize, $100.— J. I. Salter, St. Cloud, Minn. 60T lbs. 
2d Prize, $75.— H. C. Pearson, Pitcaim. N. Y. 437 lbs. 
3d Prize, $50.— J. L. Perkins, Little Sioux, Iowa. 
393^ lbs. 
4th Prize, $25.— Thos.* J. McLeod, Black Brook, N. T. 
380 lbs. 
Compton's Surprise. 
1st Prize. $100.— Abednego Robinson, So. New Market, 
N. H. 51114 It". 
2d Prize, $75— H. C Pearson, Pitcaim, N. Y. 450 lbs. 
3d Prize, $50.— J. I. Salter, St. Cloud, Minn. 394 lbs. 
4th Prize, $25.— Frank A. Smith, Stone Church, Pa. 
386 lbs. 
Some who did not comply with the conditions of the 
offer had very large yields. We presume that Messrs. 
Bliss & Sons will publish a fuller account of this inter- 
esting trial than wo are able to give at the present time. 
Bee Notes.— Advice to Beginners 
BY M. QDTNBY, ST. JOHN8VILLE, TH. Y. 
More people are asking at the present time how to 
winter bees than ever before. In 1853 "The Mysteries 
of Bue-keeping" was first published. The best process 
then known to the writer was there detailed. A warm 
cellar or onthonse, made warm, was considered the best 
place. I have wintered in such a place with a loss of but 
two per cent, and have known small lots at that time to 
pass the winter with a loss of less than ten percent, 
even when left on their primmer stands. But for the past 
two winters it was very rare to find ten per cent saved of 
those out of doors, and very many of those housed suf- 
fered equally. There was this difference : Of those out 
of doors scarcely any escaped ; while thoee housed, espe- 
cially when kept warm enough, were the only ones that 
were well wintered. 
It is desirable to ascertain, if possible, the causes that 
produce these results. Many attribute it to a dysentery 
caused by the quality of honey, and assert that the prairie 
flowers of thcWeet furnish something very different from 
what was obtained twenty years ago ; forgetting that the 
Eastern States do not furnish it now, and the result there 
is about the same. Others suppose that the young bees 
winter best, and that from some cause the bees early stop 
rearing brood, and by the beginning of winter have no 
bees less than several months old— three or four at least 
—and by the next April these are dying of old age, or, if 
not dead, worthless. While admitting that young bees 
are most valuable, this solution of the difficulty does not 
apply, because they failed in some cases to rear young 
bees late, just the same, years ago. The idea that it is in 
the quality of the honey that makes the trouble is insisted 
on by another, from the fact that he has substituted sugar 
syrup for winter food, and has lost no bees when so fed. 
As none of these reasons are wholly satisfactory, some 
have inquired further: What condition has been present 
the past two years that we have not bad before iu forty 
years ¥ But few attribute it to the cold weather. I must 
do so. All know that a goo'l hive of bees with a proper 
quantity of honey well distributed will stand any degree 
of cold for a time, as has been proved many times. Yet 
the cold of the last two winters haB been different, not 
only in severity, but in continuing until late iu spring. 
A fortnight of such weather, with a few warm days be- 
tween the spells for them to revive, and they come out 
all right. That dysentery is produced by cold is shown 
by their never having it in warm weather. That syrup 
of sugar does not prevent it in such weather was proved 
in many cases the past winter where the combs were 
filled with it and nothing else, and were badly soiled 
before the bees failed. 
After strict inquiry, the only places found where bees 
were wintered successfully was where they had the 
benefit of artificial heat, unless in a room with numbers 
sufficient to create heat for themselves. From all these 
facts we can see the necessity of more artificial warmth 
than was needed a few years since. Do not take the chance 
of success out-doors. The coming winter may be mild ; 
and it may be the third one of severity. Let us be pre- 
pared for any emergency. If we have less than one hun- 
dred Blocks let them be put in a place where the temper- 
ature can be regulated. The more bees in a room the 
less artificial heat will be needed. If there arc only a few 
stocks put them in a room adjoining one in which there 
is a fire, either over or under or one side, or in a cellar 
under the living room. A room proportioned in size to 
the number of hives will keep them warmer than a few 
in a large room. Yet extreme heat mnst be avoided. A 
little below or a very little above 50 degrees will do, and 
this should be uniform if possible. 
Another point. If the room has windows they muet 
be darkened— perfectly dark— or the bees will leave the 
hive and waste. If there is no room to spare for this 
purpose, and you have but a hive or two, put them in a 
close box to keep dark; ventilate the box without ad- 
mitting light to the hive and keep them as quiet as 
possible. House the first of this month or as soon as we 
have real winter. Choose a cool day to do it. Be careful 
not to jar the hives. If several are set close together 
they are easier kept warm than if scattered. Such as 
have stores sufficient at the proper time need not be dis- 
turbed until spring. Those lacking stores must not be 
allowed to starve. Material to keep them wMl cost no 
more now than if given early. But the care of feeding 
is increased. When the room is warm they may be fed 
enough to last uutil April— three pounds per month. 
Syrup made of sugar— coffee crushed— is probably the 
cheapest feed. If fed when they are cold a bee will not 
leave the cluster and creep to the top of a dish contain- 
ing feed, but will come to the bottom if it can obtain 
it there. There are feeders made on this principle, bnt 
patented. If warm enough, the bees may be ff.-d as they 
need it— by the month or oftencr. But such feeding is 
not recommended as the best way. 
The inquiry is often made, " Which is the most profit, 
extracted or box-honey? 1 ' To answer correctly many 
points require consideration. Three times as much of 
the one as of the other can usually be obtained— that is, 
when we can save the expense of making combs. The 
cost of fixtures to obtain extracted honey and the price 
it bears in market are important items. When comb is 
to be used, as in box-honey, it takes many pounds of 
honey to make one of wax— from ten to twenty. This is 
all wasted, as far as food is concerned ; and prices do not 
correspond up to this time. It has discouraged many. 
But it is what might be expected. A reputation has yet 
to be made for extracted honey, and will be as soon as 
people know its superiority in taste as well as appear 
ance. So many vile mixtures have been sold as honey 
that the pnblic taste is perverted ; very much like that of 
the man who boasted of his ability to tell liquors by the 
taste, but was "■stumped" when a glass of water was 
presented to him. The case is similar with this honey. 
Most persons not being in the habit of tasting that which 
is of very superior qnality it is not appreciated. Strained 
honey, even when unmixed with any foreign ingredient, 
always has a taste of bee-bread. It is always drained 
from combs taken from the body of the hive. These 
always contain bee-bread. To have the honey drain 
properly it is necessary to mash it fine, and the bee-bread 
is mixed with it— making it unpleasant to many, and 
they will give but little for it. Extracted honey is asso- 
ciated with it in their minds as something not so agree- 
able as box honey. When clover honey is extracted and 
kept pure it is so much clearer, purer, and whiter than any- 
thing that people are accustomed to, that they think it 
must be something else. They " never saw honey look 
like that." Dairymen have called the Legislature to 
their aid to prevent watering milk. I think that bee- 
keepers could do the same thing in regard to honey with 
propriety. If we had a law that every one offering for 
sale honey containing an ingredient not stored by the 
bees should eo state it or suffer a heavy penalty, bee- 
keepers would be greatly benefited. 
Two Valuable Shorthorns. 
On otir first page will be found engravings 
of two cows from the late herd of the Hon. 
Samuel Campbell of New York Mills. These 
engravings are portraits taken from life on the 
occasion of the shipment of the cows from 
Hew York to their English purchaser, Lord 
Skelmersdale. The cow with a calf by her 
side is the first Duchess of Oneida, purchased 
at this sale for $30,600. This cow is in her 
fourth year, and the dam of a heifer now 15 
months old, the seventh Duchess of Oneida, 
which was purchased at the same sale by Mr. 
Alexander, of Kentucky, for $19,000. The 
little calf by her side, now a few weeks old, is 
valued at $15,000, although as yet without a 
name. The other engraving represents Atlan- 
tic Gwinne, a three-year-old cow, a member of 
a family of shorthorns of less repute than the 
Duchesses, but yet of such a character that 
$2,000 was paid for her. The result of the sale 
was a surprise, not only to the fortunate seller 
but to the world — stock breeders and farmers 
more particularly. It is a matter for congratula- 
tion to those who possess puce-bred stock that 
such a high value is set upon it, and we con- 
sider that to-day the value of every pure Short- 
horn cow and bull especially, and that of 
pure-bred stock of other descriptions generally, 
is largely increased in marketable value by the 
result of this sale. But if the only result should 
be to call forth a spirit of inquiry and emula- 
tion amongst farmers and breeders towards the 
improvement of their stock, the money paid at 
the New York Mills sale has been well 
expended. 
