JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
June 16, 1881. ] 
of interchange of frames, for use of the extractor, for the produc¬ 
tion of marketable sections, the ordinary bar-frame has the de¬ 
cided advantage.” But “ Renfrewshire ” admits nothing of 
the kind. Neither does he see any advantage in the power given 
by the bar-frame hive of spreading the brood urged by Messrs. 
Cowan and Cheshire, nor has he any fear of that imposing tower 
of ten storeys (figured in the book), on a 6-inch fireclay pedestal 
toppling over in a gale. Our author is, however, more unbiassed, 
candidly admits the advantages and disadvantages on either side, 
and after all does not advise the general adoption of the Stewarton. 
He has found it suits those who, like himself, have little time to 
devote to their bees, and “ with a minimum of trouble ” gives him 
a “maximum of honey.” 
We can honestly recommend the perusal of this manual by bee¬ 
keepers of every school, for outside the matters of debate con¬ 
tained in it there are many facts fitted to stimulate all, and 
incidental reference to principles that are at the rocft of all good 
management. 
Bees Poisoned by the Digitalis purpurea, or Foxglove.— 
Last summer I had a large quantity of Foxglove plants, cultivated 
varieties, and very beautiful in bloom, at the same time a quantity 
of Canterbury Bells growing near them, and in tiower. I was much 
struck to find that a great number of the working bees were lying 
dead in the flowers of the Canterbury Bell. Day after day I 
watched with much interest the movements of the bees, and found 
that after they had fed for some time on the flowers of the Fox¬ 
glove they became stupid, and after leaving the Foxglove they 
went into the flowers of the Canterbury Bell, and, as a rule, died 
shortly after. Query—Did they die from the poison got in the 
Foxglove alone, or did it depend on their coming in contact with 
the flowers of the Canterbury Bell ? I could not find any dead 
bees on any other plant or on the ground near by.— A. Paterson, 
M.D., Fernfield House, Bridge of Allan (in British Bee Journal ). 
TRADE CATALOGUE RECEIVED. 
Henry Hope, 55, Lionel Street, Birmingham.— Booh of Designs of 
Horticultural Buildings. 
*** All correspondence should be directed either to “ The Editor ” 
or to “ The Publisher.” Letters addressed to Dr. Hogg or 
members of the staff often remain unopened unavoidably. We 
request that no one will write privately to any of our correspon¬ 
dents, as doing so subjects them to unjustifiable trouble and 
expense. 
Correspondents should not mix up on the same sheet questions relat¬ 
ing to Gardening and those on Poultry and Bee subjects, and 
should never send more than two or three questioni, at once. All 
articles intended for insertion should be written on one side of 
the paper only. We cannot reply to questions through the post,, 
and we do not undertake to return rejected communications. 
Book (F. J. J.). —We know of no book so likely to meet your requirements 
as Thomson’s “ Handy Book of the Flower Garden,” which is published by Black¬ 
wood & Sons, and the price does not exceed half the amount you name. 
Address (S. C. F.). —The address you require is, 44, Percival Street, Goswell 
Road, London. 
Gum Water for Pelargoniums ( C. D.). —Place 8 ozs. of gum in 
5^ pints of soft water and allow it to remain about two days to dissolve, then 
strain it through a piece of muslin, and use it from small tins such as ladies use 
to oil their sewing machines with. The gumming process can be done very 
quickly with these, as one drop is quite sufficient for a flower. 
Dressing Vine Border ( J. A.). —You may carry out the practice that 
has been recommended as soon as the fruit is removed from the Vines. 
Benefit Societies (Yeung Gardener). —There are no societies that we are 
aware of that are established with the object of assisting gardeners to obtain 
situations ; but no doubt the members of gardeners’ benefit societies assist each 
other in this respect. There are societies in Leeds and Sheffield, and no doubt a 
letter addressed to the secretaries would find its destination. 
Rose Leaves Falling (J. TV).—The leaves suggest that the plants have 
received a sudden chill, which has arrested the flow of sap. Have you had frost ? 
We presume the injury was apparent before you commenced syringing, and that 
the application was not too strong. We suspect that the frost which has been 
so injurious in many districts during last week is the cause of the present con¬ 
dition of the foliage, and that the only cure is more genial weather. 
Variegated Carnation (II. II .).—We do not know of any Carnation 
having variegated foliage. We have occasionally seen a plant with the leaves 
faintly striped with white, but it was usually in a sickly condition and of no 
value. 
495 
Asparagus (J. F .).—Your question is almost unanswerable, as so much 
depends on the nature of the soil and condition of the plants. We have known 
the produce to vary from 400 to 1000 lbs. from the extent of ground you 
mention. 
Gooseberries (Idem). —The following are'free-bearing varieties, and afford 
green fruit early in the season Antagonist, Crown Bob, Highlander, Leader, 
Queen of Trumps, and Whitesmith. 
Tomatoes not Setting (R. G. M.).— As you have previously succeeded 
with the same varieties that have now failed, and cannot ascertain the cause of 
the failure, we fear that we cannot with such data that has been afforded answer 
your question satisfactorily. We can only suggest that the pollen was not 
sufficiently dry for dispersion, and^the flowers were consequently not fertilised. 
You will find much information on Tomato culture in Mr. lggulden’s manual, 
which can be had post free from this office, price Is. Id. 
The Austrian Briar (Curate ).—The blooms you have sent are of this 
extremely bright Rose. It is very hardy, and may be increased by layers ; but 
when plants are established in good soil they usually produce suckers freely, 
which when detached with roots soon form good flowering plants. 
Raising Single Pyrethrums (G. D.).— New varieties are raised from 
seed, and established varieties by cuttings or division of the roots. Cuttings 
strike readily in gentle heat in the spring, and the roots may be divided in the 
autumn, yet soon enough for the plants to become established before the winter, 
otherwise they are best divided just as growth commences in the spring. 
Double Cucumbers (Stephen Castle). —We have many twin Cucumbers 
sent to us every year, but not often a specimen showing such a close and con¬ 
tinuous union as in the one before us, which is very solid and fine, the weight 
being S| lbs. 
Carrots Withering (G. Davis). —Your Carrots are infested with the 
maggot, and in all probability the crop will be nearly worthless. When the 
plants are in such a state as those you have enclosed there is no remedy. If you 
sow seed of the Early Horn at the end of the present month, or early in July, on 
a piece of ground far distant from the present crop, the plants will probably 
escape injury, and you will have a supply of clean roots in the autumn. 
Potatoes Frozen (J. 3., Yorkshire). —All you can do is to cut off the 
tops below the parts frozen, and fresh growths will be produced at once. The 
tubers will in all probability be smaller as well as later, on account of the check 
the plants have received. 
Sawdust for Rhododendrons (S. P.).— When Mr. Cuthbert Johnson 
made his Rhododendron beds he used fresh sawdust mixed in equal proportions 
with common garden soil, and to this he added a good dressing of bone super¬ 
phosphate, but we are unable to state in what proportions. 
Begonias Decaying (C. D .).—You have done quite right in reducing the 
moisture in the atmosphere, but the soil must be kept moist, and when the pots 
are filled with roots copious supplies of water are necessary. If the decay does 
not cease dust the affected parts with finely powdered charcoal. Although you 
cannot give more ventilation you may perhaps be able to admit air earlier in 
the morning, and we advise you to do so if possible. 
Northern Spy Apple (Aleck ).—You are quite correct. This excellent 
Apple originated about the year 1840 in the State of New York, on the farm of 
Oliver Chapin of Bloomfield, near Rochester. It belongs to the Spitzenburgh 
race, and bears some resemblance to the Esopus Spitzenburgh. Gradually it 
became a favourite among American orchardists, and in 1843 we find it one of 
the sorts which were recommended “ for trial” at one of the pomological con¬ 
ventions. In 1847 the fruit was sold in New York at 12£ cents, each. It is now 
largely imported into this country annually. 
Superphosphate of Lime (J. IF. Dixon). —It is more useful as a manure 
than bones, because it is more soluble in water. If we bury a bone it will 
remain almost unaltered for years ; but if we break it into small pieces it decays 
much sooner, and if put round the roots of Cabbages will soon make them 
grow more fine and vigorously. Cabbages, however, are not the only garden 
vegetables benefited by bone manure, for phosphate of lime is one of the most 
constant constituents of all plants. Of this phosphate, therefore, the soil is 
deprived by every crop it bears, and to restore this phosphate to the soil is an 
object with every cultivator. It was long since shown by chemists that phos¬ 
phate of lime is the chief ingredient in all bones, and consequently these by 
degrees have become one of the most extensively used manures. In every 
100 fts. of sheep’s bones there are 70 fts. of phosphate of lime ; in 100 lbs. of 
horses’ bones sixty-eight of that phosphate ; and in the same quantity of ox 
bones 55 lbs. As phosphate of lime is insoluble in water, and even bone dust is 
slow in decaying, it was suggested that by dissolving it in a strong acid, super¬ 
phosphate of lime, a substance soluble in water, would be formed, and also all 
the other constituents of the bone be presented to the roots of the crop in a 
most available form. This process is said to have been first adopted by Mr. 
Fleming of Borrochan, N.B., in the year 1841. He employed muriatic acid 
(spirit of salt) to dissolve the bones, but it was subsequently found that sul¬ 
phuric acid (oil of vitriol) was both cheaper and better. 
Photographs of Leaves (R. M. S .).—The following process has been 
recommended for the purpose you name :—At any druggists get a little bichro¬ 
mate of potash. Put this in a 2-oz. bottle of soft water. When the solution 
becomes saturated—that is, the water has dissolved as much as it will, pour off 
some of the clear liquid into a shallow dish ; on this float a piece of ordinary 
writing-paper till it is thoroughly and evenly moistened. Let it become nearly 
dry, in the dark. It should be of a bright yellow. On this put the leaf; under 
it a piece of soft black cloth and several sheets of paper. Put these between 
two pieces of glass (all the pieces should be of the same size), and fasten them 
all together tightlj-. Expose to a bright sun, placing the leaf so that the rays 
will fall upon it as nearly perpendicular as possible. In a few minutes it will begin 
to turn brown, but it requires from half an hour to several hours to produce a 
perfect print. When it has become dark enough, take it from the frame and 
put it in clear water, which must be changed every few minutes, till the yellow 
part becomes perfectly white. Sometimes the venation of the leaves will be 
quite distinct. By following these directions it is scarcely possible to fail, and 
a little practice will make perfect. The photographs, if well taken, are very 
pretty. 
Name of Fruit (J. S.).— It is not easy to determine the name from a 
solitary specimen, and we can only say that the fruit resembles a well-kept 
example of the Northern Greening. 
Names of Plants (J. H. /!.).—The single Orchid flower sent is not suffi¬ 
cient to determine its name with certainty, but it resembles Oncidium sphacela- 
