September 27, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
283 
great improvement ; but the objection against it was that in 
spring, when breeding was going on and it became necessary to 
give additional room, this could only be done by adding the second 
box, so that the hive at one moment was made double its winter 
size, and this sudden enlargement of the brood nest, lowering 
the temperature too much, was too great a check in the un¬ 
certain weather of early spiing. We need hardly say all this 
trial and experimenting was not likely to go for nothing, and 
convinced us that the shallow frame had advantages not to be 
denied, only requiring to be worked on right principles to make 
it better for all purposes than any other. It need not be stated 
here how many alterations and changes were made before finally 
fixing upon the form of hive which we intend to bring before 
our readers ; so we shall, as shortly as we can consistently 
with making all clear for those who choose to make a hive on 
our principle, give a general description of the advantages we 
claim for it, In claiming these advantages we would specially 
emphasise the fact that it is after several years’ trial with it in 
our own apiary to test its working in what may be called expert 
hands. It has been tried in the hands of novices, including 
lady bee-keepers, with equally satisfactory results. It has 
also worked just as well with the timid bee-keeper who fears his 
bees, as with the active apiarian who has no dread of them. 
In describing the details it will not be necessary to give 
external measurements with mathematical correctness, because 
they are of comparatively small consequence so long as perfect 
accuracy is secured in the internal dimensions. In general 
appearance the hive resembles a double or twin hive, and the 
first impression is that it is too large. This can be accounted 
for by the peculiar arrangement of the wedge front for the 
floor-board. The latter forms an alighting board 4 inches deep 
for the bees in winter, and one of the objects we had in forming 
it so was to avoid an appearance of unshapeliness, which it 
certainly had without it. This will be readily seen when we 
say the body box is only 6 inches deep and 2 feet 5^ inches 
long. With the wedge front inserted the hive appears 11 inches 
deep, so the appearance, as we may say, is that of a much 
larger hive than it really is. 
The amount of breeding space in the full hive is, on measure¬ 
ment, somewhat over that of eleven frames of the Association 
standard size. Here, however, the comparison ends, for we 
■contend that the amount of breeding space is vastly increased 
by the adoption of shallow frames when the hive is properly 
used. This will be explained later, and we will give seriatim 
the full particulars of each part of the hive.—W. B. 0., Higher 
Behington. 
THE STING OF BEES. 
With reference to an article which appeared in your last 
week’s issue I enclose you a paragraph taken from the Christian 
Globe, in which the writer mentions a very simple remedy for 
the sting of wasps, and thinks that the application of this remedy 
might also prove efficacious in preventing any ill effects from 
the sting of a bee. As 1 have not had occasion to apply a 
remedy of this nature I am not in a position to verify its infalli¬ 
bility. Should you, however, think it worthy of the attention 
of the readers of your Journal, some of whom maybe unfor¬ 
tunate enough to require its application, you are welcome to 
insert the paragraph, with what I trust will prove to be beneficial 
results.—W. B. Young, Alnwick. 
“ It will be in the recollection of our readers that two cases of death 
from wasp stings within a fortnight were recently reported in the papers. 
Noticing this fact a correspondent has communicated to The Times a remedy 
which, if it be as successful as it is simple, and he vouches, especially those 
who reside in the country will thank us for reproducing it. Immediately on 
being stung place the hollow barrel of a key round the sting and press it 
until it begins to hurt. On removing the key the sting will be found lying 
outside the puncture it has made, and inside the ring formed by the pressure 
of the key barrel. I do not recollect whence I first had this homely surgical 
operation, but it is effective. All pain disappears at once, no swelling takes 
place, and in a few minutes it ie difficult to find again where one has been 
stung. The sting, in fact, is extracted before its venom has had time to 
get absorbed into the tissues. This remedy is simplicity itself, and if it 
applies equally, as most likely it does, to the sting of a bee, it is well worth 
remembering.” 
[This is a very ancient remedy, and not, we tbink, equally 
-efficacious in cases of bee stings, as these are barbed, while the 
stings of wasps are not.] 
The Honey Harvest. —Reports from various parts of the south 
of bcotland concur in representing the honey harvest to be the most 
meagre that has been gathered for many year-. The late spring neces¬ 
sitated feeding the bees, which, however, bred well and swarmed largely. 
During the summer the wet and dull weather which was experienced 
proved unfavourable for the storing of honey, and, in addition to this, 
the bee-keepers cannot hope to make up the summer deficiency this 
season from the autumn Heather, as that has been found to yield very 
little. 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
Kane, Kells, Co. Meath.— List of Bulbs. 
Barr & Son, 12, King Street, Co vent Garden.— Catalogue of Daffodils and 
Bulbs ( Illustrated). 
Compagnie Continentale d’Horticulture.— List of Palms, Orchids, and 
Stove Plants. 
W. Lovel it Son, Driffield, Yorkshire.— List of Strawberry Plants. 
Ralph Crossling, Penarth Nurseries, South Wales.— List oj Bulbs, Flower¬ 
ing Roots, cfc. 
James Yates, Stockport.— Catalogue of Bulbs ( Illustrated). 
H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent.— Catalogue of Softwooded Florist 
Flowers, Boses, and Bulbs. 
%* 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 Bee subjects, and should never 
send more than two or three questions at once. All articles in¬ 
tended 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. 
Address (A. J. B.). —We are obliged by your letter, also for your address 
with the particulars you have sent, and your request will be readily complied 
with. The qualifications, of which we had no knowledge before, are quite 
sufficient for the purpose in question. 
Sowing Lawn Seeds (A. M. B.). —Occasionally when the seeds are sown 
in the autumn the young plants perish in the winter, but not always—not, 
perhaps, usually where the soil is well drained and the lawn is not swept 
during wet or frosty weather. As you only appear to need a small quantity 
of seed we should sow now, and then if it fails you can sprinkle on a little 
more in the spring. It sometimes happens that a term of bright weather in 
the spring prevents the quick germination of the seed and the rapid growth 
of the Grasses. 
Filmy Ferns (.4. Hi). —It is quite impossible for U3 to say whether you 
can dispose of them advantageously or not, nor are we able to suggest any 
better course than advertising them with the object of ascertaining whether 
a great demand exists for these Ferns or not amongst cultivators. 
Waterfowl ( A Dublin Subscriber).—There is no doubt that many of our 
readers keep several varieties of waterfowl, but very few of them would 
undertake to estimate the “ average prices ” at which birds may be purchased. 
Your question involving a purely trade matter, the best advice we can give 
you is to write to Mr. Baily, Mount Street, Grosvenor Square, who will, we 
think, be able to supply you with the information you need. 
Marketing Garden Produce (C . E. S.). —It is quite beyond our province 
to recommend either vendors of garden requisites or purchasers of garden 
produce ; nor do we ever incur the responsibility of advising anyone what 
crops he should grow. Some persons find winter Cucumbers fairly profitable, 
others fail in cultivating them remuneratively ; and we cannot advise any¬ 
one to attempt their culture for market who has not had previous experience 
in the work. 
Worms in Soil (J. IK.).—Worms in the soil which you are intending to 
use for Mushroom beds are an indication of its good quality rather than 
otherwise. In turning over the soil and applying it the greater number can 
be picked out, and the few small ones that remain will probably make their 
escape from the thin covering, and do no injury to the bed. 
Lawn Patchy (A. D.). —You have no doubt indicated the cause of the 
patchiness of your new lawn—namely, shaving it too closely, and it may 
be the machine has dragged the grass somewhat in places instead of 
cutting it cleanly. The remedy is to scratch up the brown parts with 
a sharp-toothed rake, sow fresh lawn seed of the same kind as before, 
sprinkling on it a little sifted soil, and run a light roller over it. You 
may do this at once, and your lawn will soon have a green appearance. 
After the young Grasses appear you had better cease using the lawn 
mower for the season, using instead, if needed, a very sharp scythe, and 
not cutting too close to the ground. It is a mistake to shave lawns so 
closely as is customary in many places, both during dry weather in 
summer and o*i the approach of winter. 
Heating Greenhouse ( Idem). —The temperature that will be suitable 
for the bulbs, 45° to 55°, will also be of benefit to your Palms, Fern°, 
and Lycopods. Pelargoniums of the Zonal type, if healthy, and have 
